at around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at around" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate an approximate time or location. Example: "The meeting is scheduled to start at around 3 PM."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Shakhtar value at around £38m.

Independent

Rooms start at around $225.

The New York Times - Travel

Prices per night start at around £19.

Independent

Peru grew sturdily at around 4.5%.

The Economist

Netflix now trades at around $118.

The New York Times

Estimates put the number at around 55,000.

The Economist

Handbags start at around $35.

The New York Times - Travel

They start at around $65.

The New York Times

Prices start at around 300 Australian dollars.

BBC

Apollo shares trade at around $51.

Forbes

I got home at around 23.30".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at around" to indicate time, consider the audience. In more formal settings, "approximately" might be preferred. For example: 'The meeting will begin at around 10 AM' could be 'The meeting will begin approximately at 10 AM'.

Common error

While "at around" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in formal documents. Over-reliance can make your writing sound less precise. Opt for alternatives like "approximately" or "in the vicinity of" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at around" functions as a prepositional modifier, indicating an approximate time, location, or quantity. It modifies elements within a sentence by adding a degree of imprecision, as Ludwig examples demonstrate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at around" serves as a prepositional modifier to indicate approximation, often used for time, location, or quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, especially in news and media. While versatile, it's best to reserve "at around" for neutral to informal writing, opting for terms like "approximately" in more formal settings. As Ludwig examples highlight, authoritative sources frequently employ "at around", solidifying its place in everyday English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

about

This provides a shorter, more informal way to express approximation.

approximately

This alternative provides a more formal and concise way to indicate an estimate.

roughly

This adverb modifies a quantity or time, indicating it's not exact.

close to

This phrase indicates nearness in either time, location, or quantity.

in the area of

This implies an approximation, typically related to numerical values or quantities.

in the vicinity of

This phrase suggests a location that is near or close to a specific point.

or so

This phrase is typically added after a number to indicate an approximation.

in the neighborhood of

This alternative is more informal and suggests a rough estimate.

something like

This indicates that the actual value or amount is similar to the stated one.

give or take

This idiom suggests a small degree of acceptable variance in an estimate.

FAQs

How to use "at around" in a sentence?

The phrase "at around" is used to indicate an approximate time, location, or quantity. For example, "The event will start at around 7 PM", "The suspect was last seen at around the corner", or "The cost is estimated at around $50".

What can I say instead of "at around"?

You can use alternatives like "approximately", "about", or "in the vicinity of" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "approximately" or "at around"?

"Approximately" is generally considered more formal than "at around". Use "approximately" in professional or academic writing for a more polished tone, while "at around" is suitable for informal communication.

Which is correct, "at around" or "around"?

Both "at around" and "around" can be correct depending on the context, but they are not always interchangeable. "Around" can often be used on its own to indicate approximation (e.g., "around 7 PM"). "At around" is frequently used when specifying a time or location in relation to a specific event or point (e.g., "The accident happened at around the intersection").