around around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around around" is not standard in written English and may be considered incorrect or confusing.
It could be used in a poetic or artistic context, but clarity is generally preferred in formal writing. Example: "The children ran around around the playground, laughing and playing."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

This little rascal calls me all day long, he goes around, around, around me.

The Guardian

I pressed my groin against the ground, letting my tongue go around and around, around and around.

The New Yorker

This in turn meant there were more teachers around (around 35,000 of them) – which thereby reduced the pupil-teacher ratio considerably in both primary and secondary schools.

Independent

Waltz me around again, Willie, Around, around, around.

Forbes

The 40-year-old can also allegedly be seen on tape throwing the lizard in the air, swinging the reptile around around, and throwing Gatorade on the employees, according to NBC Miami.

Huffington Post

Pilgrim Bark Park Provincetown, Massachusetts This park is easy on the eyes -- partially due to the adorable dogs frolicking around around, and partially because it's also an interactive art exhibit!

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Tens arounds and nines arounds around do not count for anything.

WikiHow

There was a family of riders; first Daddy got up on the horse, & then Mommy, & then Little Brother, & Little Sister, until the whole family was going around & around.

The New Yorker

Now here we were, some decades later, cheering, while first the flying man & then the flying man & the flying lady went around & around.

The New Yorker

A chauffeur tells the writer, "The student drivers go around & around all day, because this is like a circular thing, like infinity... Everyone comes here & they can do whatever they want.

The New Yorker

That Christmas they had a tree with no ornaments; Helen & Nora only got a doll each & writer got only a mechanical auto whose own momentum pushed it around & around a runway.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "around around" in formal writing. It's often redundant and can be replaced with a single "around" or a more precise term like "approximately" or "nearby".

Common error

Don't use "around around" when trying to emphasize approximation or location. Instead, opt for a clearer alternative such as "approximately", "nearby", or simply use "around" once.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around around" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, attempting to indicate approximation or location. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is generally considered grammatically incorrect, making its function questionable in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "around around" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and redundant. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that while it appears in some contexts, particularly in News & Media, it's best avoided in formal writing. Instead, it is preferable to use a single "around", or more precise alternatives such as "approximately", "nearby", or "in the vicinity of" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. The goal is to prevent repetitive and confusing sentence structures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately

Replaces the repetitive phrase with a single word indicating estimation.

in the vicinity of

Substitutes with a prepositional phrase indicating spatial closeness.

in proximity to

Replaces with a phrase that means 'near' or 'close by'.

in the neighborhood of

Indicates an approximate amount or location.

in the area of

Replaces the repetitive phrase with a common expression for spatial approximation.

give or take

Indicates a small degree of variation above or below a stated figure.

or so

Indicates an approximate number or amount.

give or take a few

Indicates a degree of uncertainty in quantity.

or thereabouts

Replaces the repetitive phrase with a synonym for 'approximately'.

roughly

Offers a single-word substitution for approximation.

FAQs

How can I avoid using "around around" in my writing?

To avoid redundancy, replace "around around" with a single "around" or use more precise alternatives depending on the context. For approximations, consider using "approximately" or "roughly". For location, "nearby" or "in the vicinity of" may be more suitable.

What does "around around" mean?

The phrase "around around" typically intends to convey approximation or proximity. However, it's considered grammatically incorrect and redundant. Using a single "around" or a more specific term is preferred for clarity.

Is it ever correct to use "around around" in a sentence?

While you might encounter "around around" in informal speech or creative writing for emphasis, it's generally best to avoid it in formal writing. It's often seen as a mistake and can make your writing seem less polished.

What are some alternatives to using "around around"?

Depending on the intended meaning, you can use alternatives like "approximately", "nearby", "in the vicinity of", or just a single "around" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.