being passed around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being passed around" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is being shared or circulated among a group of people. Example: "The rumor about the new policy is being passed around the office quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Social Interactions

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I fantasise about being passed around by several of them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Blue and white signs bearing the party patriarch's name were being passed around by ushers.

Independent

Why you'd bother: News frequently breaks on Twitter (by being passed around so fast that pretty soon, everybody's heard it).

The New York Times - Tech

He grabbed one of the anti-Trump signs being passed around and entered the crowd that was shouting "No Wall!

The New Yorker

This e-mail from a University of Washington computer science professor is being passed around and it is pretty funny.

The New York Times

"Those stories being passed around are quite simply false.

BBC

Mollick said this sharing is common for many artists' campaigns: "It is often the same $5 being passed around".

BBC

Oh, and plenty of Bud Light being passed around in between.

Los Angeles Times

"I see my images being passed around, sometimes with my credit taken off.

Vice

Quickly he discovered that the MDMA being passed around was usually anything but.

Vice

One night in camp, as a joint was being passed around, people began to discuss what it all meant.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "being passed around", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being circulated, whether it's information, objects, or even people in a metaphorical sense.

Common error

Avoid using "being passed around" without specifying what is being circulated. For example, instead of saying "Rumors were being passed around", specify "Rumors about the merger were being passed around."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being passed around" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a passive construction. It indicates that something is the recipient of an action performed by an unspecified agent, such as information, objects, or even metaphorical concepts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the expression is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Lifestyle

13%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "being passed around" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that describes the circulation or distribution of something within a group. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It's versatile, appearing across various contexts, but most prominently in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, it should be used cautiously in highly formal or scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what exactly is "being passed around" to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternative phrases like "being circulated" or "being shared" for different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being circulated

Focuses on the act of spreading information or objects.

being distributed

Highlights the organized dissemination of items or resources.

being shared

Emphasizes the collaborative or communal aspect of distributing something.

making the rounds

Suggests a casual and informal circulation of information or rumors.

going around

Implies widespread circulation, often of illnesses or news.

in circulation

Highlights that something is currently being distributed among people.

being disseminated

Implies a formal and controlled distribution of information.

being broadcast

Emphasizes the wide and public spread of information.

being propagated

Suggests the active spreading and promotion of ideas or beliefs.

making its way around

Emphasizes the journey or path of something as it spreads.

FAQs

How can I use "being passed around" in a sentence?

You can use "being passed around" to describe something that is being circulated or shared among a group of people. For example, "The petition is "being passed around" the office for signatures".

What are some alternatives to "being passed around"?

Some alternatives include "being circulated", "being shared", or "making the rounds", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "being passed around" or should I use another phrase?

The phrase "being passed around" is grammatically correct and commonly used. Its suitability depends on the context, but it's generally acceptable in informal and neutral situations. For more formal contexts, consider using "being disseminated" or "being distributed".

What does "being passed around" mean?

The phrase "being passed around" generally means something is being circulated, shared, or distributed among a group of people. The exact meaning depends on what is being passed around, which can be information, objects, or even responsibilities.