blow around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "blow around" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the movement of something being carried or scattered by the wind or air. Example: "The leaves began to blow around the yard as the wind picked up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Because the new salt is lighter and finer than the old salt and tends to blow around, Schroeder said, shouting over the din, the engineers were in the process of changing the size of the apertures in the salt receptacles to insure a more even flow.

The New Yorker

The iTie serves two functions: one, it has two little straps that attach to the buttons on your shirt so it doesn't blow around, get dunked in your coffee, or, my personal favorite from when I used to wear a tie, get toothpaste all over it.

TechCrunch

"Literally within 100 feet of people's homes, they're dumping coal ash on the ground, allowing it to blow around," Wathen said.

HuffPost

Make sure it circulates, even if this means using a fan in winter to blow around warm air; this is better than stale, stagnant air.

WikiHow

You can usually find them near the base of an oak tree, but be careful, as leaves can blow around on a windy day.

WikiHow

Fill the chair in a room with no breeze, so the light filling doesn't blow around and make the procedure more difficult.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

"There is so much stuff blowing around".

The New York Times

"When snow blows around, it's like stars," he explained.

The New York Times - Arts

Knowledge about sustainable dye techniques seems to be blowing around like so much pollen.

The New York Times

We'd see her on the causeway in an open-air Jeep, blond hair blowing around.

The New Yorker

The fresh air is blown around, creating a current that pulls more stale air out of the structure.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "blow around" to vividly describe the movement of lightweight objects by wind or air currents. This adds a dynamic element to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "blow around" to describe indecisiveness in formal contexts. While acceptable in informal speech, it lacks precision and professionalism in business or academic writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "blow around" primarily functions as a phrasal verb. It describes the action of something being moved erratically by the wind or air. As indicated by Ludwig, it is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "blow around" is a common phrasal verb used to describe movement caused by wind or air. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts, especially in news and media, and general descriptive writing. While versatile, be mindful of its slightly informal tone and consider more precise alternatives like "drift about" or "scatter in the wind" in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drift about

Focuses on the drifting motion caused by the wind.

scatter in the wind

Emphasizes the spreading effect of the wind.

be carried by the wind

Highlights the wind as the agent of movement.

sway in the breeze

Suggests a gentler, more rhythmic motion.

waft through the air

Implies a light and airy movement.

be swept along

Conveys a sense of being forcibly moved.

circulate freely

Indicates an unrestricted movement within a space.

be dispersed widely

Emphasizes the scattering of something over a large area.

be tossed about

Suggests a rough and uncontrolled movement.

be buffeted by

Highlights the force and impact of the wind.

FAQs

How can I use "blow around" in a sentence?

You can use "blow around" to describe objects moved by the wind, like "The leaves began to "blow around" the yard." It can also describe less literal situations.

What can I say instead of "blow around"?

You can use alternatives like "drift about", "scatter in the wind", or "be carried by the wind" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "blow around" to describe ideas or rumors?

While acceptable in informal contexts, using "blow around" for ideas or rumors might be seen as imprecise. Consider more direct phrases like "circulate freely" or "be dispersed widely" for greater clarity.

What's the difference between "blow around" and "be swept along"?

"Blow around" generally implies a gentler, less directed movement by the wind. "Be swept along" suggests a stronger, more forceful movement, often by a current or wave.