as they surround

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as they surround" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is encircled or enclosed by others, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The children laughed joyfully as they surround the puppy, eager to play with it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Demons have been visiting him in the night; he wakes to see a strange glow in his hut as they surround him, whispering Okello, Okello, Okello.

The Guardian

Within seconds, three police officers approach Ms. Gotbaum, who backs away as they surround her, and then collapses forward to the ground.

The New York Times

The person filming then focuses on police officers as they surround the two suspects, one lying on the pavement, one on the road, and then seem to begin to give them first aid.

The Guardian

Since the news broke of Qaddafi's death, Worth has been reporting for the paper, but took time out to put together these thoughts below: In the video, you can hear the disbelief and giddy joy in the voices of the fighters as they surround Qaddafi, who looks like a bloody rag doll but is still visibly alive.

The New York Times

Wanyororo and Bahati divisions represented the peri-urban dairy system as they surround Nakuru town and lie at 36° 16′ 12″ E and 0° 12′ 0″ S. Nakuru County has 52,670 small-scale farms with a population density of 35,500 dairy cows, 20,500 zebu (Bos indicus) and 15,000 exotic dairy cattle (Bos taurus).

International Journal of Food Contamination

Here, I am learning just how it is accomplished as they surround themselves with talented and accomplished designers.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It was there that American and Afghan soldiers found him and his brother as they surrounded the village with dozens of jeeps and troops and conducted a search.

The New York Times

Immediately a small crowd of autograph seekers gathered, and as they surrounded her she backed up against the bright red kettle on a tripod of the Salvation Army.

The New York Times

Ms. Whittle, playing Herr Drosselmeier, was teaching the children "tickling": waggling their outstretched fingers as they surrounded her in a tight scrum.

The New York Times - Arts

But the day after that order became public, as The Baltimore Sun reported, police officers were caught on video threatening to arrest for loitering a man who was recording them as they surrounded and held someone on the ground.

The New York Times

The Bayern players hustled and hounded him from the start, just as they surrounded Xavi and Andrés Iniesta, ensuring that the famed Barça playmaking trio had no space to turn, no place to hide.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as they surround" to create a vivid image of encirclement or close proximity, adding detail and emotional impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "as they surround" when a less intense or less spatially defined term would be more appropriate. Consider the emotional impact; "surround" can sometimes imply threat or pressure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as they surround" functions as an adverbial clause of manner, modifying a verb by describing the way in which an action is performed. As Ludwig examples show, it adds vivid detail.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as they surround" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the manner in which a group encircles someone or something. Ludwig AI validates that the phrase is usable in written English. It functions as an adverbial clause, adding vivid detail and often conveying a sense of intensity or encirclement. While not extremely common, it appears in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science, maintaining a neutral register. Remember to use it when you want to vividly illustrate encirclement, but be mindful of the potential negative connotations associated with the term "surround".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as they encircle

Replaces 'surround' with 'encircle', emphasizing a circular movement or formation.

as they encompass

Uses 'encompass' to suggest a more inclusive or comprehensive surrounding.

as they close in

Focuses on the action of approaching and surrounding from a distance.

as they converge

Highlights the act of coming together towards a central point, effectively surrounding it.

as they gather around

Implies a more casual and less forceful form of surrounding, often for positive reasons.

as they hem in

Suggests a restrictive or confining type of surrounding.

as they besiege

Emphasizes a more aggressive or persistent surrounding, often in a military context.

as they close off

Emphasizes the act of completely cutting off the surrounded object or area.

as they ring

Offers a less common but vivid image of forming a ring around something.

as they gird

Uses a more formal term, 'gird', to mean encircling or surrounding, often with protection or support.

FAQs

How can I use "as they surround" in a sentence?

Use "as they surround" to describe a group encircling something. For example, "The reporters crowded closer as they surround the politician, shouting questions."

What are some alternatives to "as they surround"?

Alternatives include "as they encircle", "as they encompass", or "as they close in", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "as they surround" and "as they are surrounding"?

"As they surround" typically describes a general or repeated action, while "as they are surrounding" describes an action in progress. The continuous form, "as they are surrounding", emphasizes the ongoing nature of the encirclement at a specific moment.

When is it inappropriate to use "as they surround"?

Avoid using "as they surround" in contexts where a gentler or less intense term is more suitable, or where the encirclement is not literal. In such cases, consider alternatives like "as they approach" or "as they gather around".