at play around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at play around" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts discussing factors or elements that are active or influencing a situation, but it is better to use more established phrases. Example: "There are many factors at play around the decision-making process."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

To answer our primary research questions, namely, "What are the factors at play around social debt during the software lifecycle?

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

We sought to characterise and study social debt, pivoting around the following research questions: "What are the factors at play around social debt during the software lifecycle?

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

The case study was driven by the following research questions: "What are the factors at play around social debt during the software lifecycle?

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

What was yawningly absent from that list, and seemingly also lacking from the design of the tricksy Duplex experiment, was any sense that Google has a deep and nuanced appreciation of the ethical concerns at play around AI technologies that are powerful and capable enough of passing off as human — thereby playing lots of real people in the process.

TechCrunch

Appreciating this means paying careful attention to the historical, political, linguistic, and economic contexts at play around the world.

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But it's possible to theorise that, if someone experiences this constant musical background, they might become more adept at playing around with those sounds – hearing links between them and thinking about how they fit together.

The Guardian - Music

I thought one way of looking at this was to play around with the killer genre.

The Guardian - Film

He was calling from Alton, Ontario, where he makes an annual pilgrimage to play around at a dry stone festival in Canada (formerly known as Rocktoberfest).

The New York Times

They just went to play around at their local ski centres on the boxes and rails and small jumps," he says.

The Guardian - Sport

Whatever the brand, Kalanick now has a lot of money at his disposal to play around with.

TechCrunch

Mr Bowie masterminds its content himself, rising, he says, at six most mornings to play around with his site.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing factors that are active or influencing a situation, consider using more common and established phrases like "in play" or "at work" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "at play around" in formal or academic writing; it can sound awkward. Opt for more precise and conventional alternatives like "influencing" or "affecting".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at play around" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun by describing the factors or conditions that are active or influential in a particular context. As Ludwig AI notes, its usage can be improved by using alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at play around" is used to indicate active or influential factors in a given situation. While understandable, it is not a standard English phrase; more common alternatives like "in play" or "at work" are often preferred. Ludwig AI highlights that it is better to use more established phrases. The phrase appears in news, media, and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral register. However, using stronger alternatives is advisable in formal or academic writing to maintain clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in play

A more standard and common phrase indicating that something is active or possible.

at work

Indicates that forces or factors are currently active and producing effects.

in action

Replaces the original phrase, indicating active involvement or influence.

in effect

Replaces the entire phrase to indicate something is operational or influential.

in operation

Substitutes the phrase to suggest something is currently active or working.

in the mix

Suggests that factors are combined and contributing to the overall situation.

influencing

Focuses on the act of affecting something, rather than the state of being at play.

affecting

Similar to 'influencing', but emphasizes the direct impact on something.

underway

Focuses on the process being in progress, rather than the factors influencing it.

at stake

Highlights what could be gained or lost, focusing on potential consequences.

FAQs

What does "at play around" mean?

The phrase "at play around" suggests that certain factors or forces are active and influencing a situation. It's often used to describe the elements that are contributing to or affecting a particular outcome.

Are there better alternatives to "at play around"?

Yes, more common and clearer alternatives include "in play", "at work", or simply "influencing" depending on the specific context.

How can I use "at play around" in a sentence?

While not as common, you might use "at play around" to describe the various elements affecting a complex decision, such as: "There are many factors at play around the decision-making process".

Is "at play around" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "at play around" is not considered standard English. It's better to use more established phrases like "in play" or "at work" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.