around holding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around holding" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe a situation involving something being held in a circular manner or context, but it lacks clarity and proper usage. Example: "The children were playing around holding hands in a circle."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He rolled around, holding his knee with both hands.

The New York Times - Sports

Yisroel spun around, holding his hands on his bottom, and noticed us watching from the door.

The New Yorker

I want to see people wandering around, holding hands, looking in windows".

The New York Times - Magazine

"We need more taxidermy," says somebody rushing around holding a stuffed fox.

The Guardian

The people milling around, holding plastic cups and cigarettes, were older than Kay-Kay by a decade or more.

The New Yorker

Guests milled around, holding bottles of Brahma or cans of Sparks, an energy concoction of alcohol, caffeine, and taurine hybrid.

The New Yorker

A boy is walking around, holding a clipboard and pen, trying to get signatures for the coming mayoral election.

The New York Times

There are slapdash shelves all around, holding plastic bags of clothes, food and other odds and ends.

The New York Times

Although Allen's head never hit the floor after he was fouled, he rolled around, holding his head, which persuaded the referees to call a flagrant foul on Ginobili.

The New York Times - Sports

SpinMe might be the cure for that bad habit: to turn the alarm off, you have to get up and spin around holding your phone.

The Guardian - Tech

Although there is no standard for success, we all look around, holding ourselves up to others: How many papers has she published?

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "around holding" in formal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives like "while holding" or "carrying" to improve readability and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Don't use "around holding" when you mean "while holding". "Around holding" often creates awkward phrasing, especially when describing simultaneous actions. Instead, use "while holding" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around holding" functions as a verbal phrase attempting to describe an action performed while holding something. However, it often lacks grammatical precision and clarity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical awkwardness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "around holding" frequently appears across diverse sources, as demonstrated by Ludwig's extensive examples. However, Ludwig AI explicitly identifies it as grammatically incorrect and lacking clear meaning. While the intent is typically to describe an action performed while holding something, the phrasing is awkward and imprecise. For enhanced clarity and grammatical accuracy, it is advisable to substitute "around holding" with alternatives like "while holding", "carrying", or "with [object] in hand" depending on the intended meaning and context. By embracing these alternatives, writers can ensure improved readability and grammatical soundness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while holding

This provides a more direct and grammatically sound way to indicate holding something concurrently with another action.

carrying

A simple and clear alternative to indicate the act of transporting something by holding it.

while in possession of

This is a more formal and precise way to indicate the act of holding something.

holding onto

Emphasizes the act of maintaining a grip on something, implying security or attachment.

with [object] in hand

Provides a descriptive alternative, emphasizing the object being held.

grasping

Highlights the action of gripping something firmly.

clutching

Implies holding something tightly, often due to fear or nervousness.

brandishing

Suggests holding something in a dramatic or aggressive manner.

displaying

Indicates holding something up to be seen.

bearing

A more formal term for carrying or holding something, often with a sense of importance.

FAQs

What does "around holding" mean?

The phrase "around holding" is often grammatically incorrect and lacks a clear, standard meaning in English. It's usually better to use alternatives like "while holding" or "carrying" depending on the context.

Is "around holding" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "around holding" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English. It's advisable to use more grammatically sound alternatives.

What can I say instead of "around holding"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "while holding", "carrying", or "with [object] in hand". Choose the phrase that best fits the intended meaning and grammatical structure.

When is it appropriate to use "around holding"?

While some instances of "around holding" might be understood in informal contexts, it's generally best to avoid this phrase in formal writing. Opt for more precise and grammatically correct alternatives such as "while holding" or "carrying" for better clarity.