by going around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by going around" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of circumventing an obstacle or taking an indirect route to achieve something. Example: "We can avoid the traffic jam by going around the city center."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He didn't do it by going around with a gun to destroy other lives.

The Guardian - Sport

"By going around in circles that are increasingly smaller, young players will improve on their edge techniques".

The New York Times

Abusers and others have also been able to obtain OxyContin by going around to doctors and feigning pain.

The New York Times

He does get drunk, though, by going around to numerous tavernsand getting one or two drinks at each one.

The New Yorker

They claim that they wanted the community to scrutinize their result — well, they could have accomplished that by going around and giving talks about it".

The New York Times - Science

In the middle of the night, he said, he texted his wife, Buffy, and said he now understood how he had sabotaged the marriage by going around frozen like that.

The New York Times - Sports

But it seemed to me by going around in this peculiar way that maybe something could emerge that was succinct as his clothes were, not a coffee table book but — it sounds pretentious — but a book for the bookshelf.

The New York Times

Mr. Neidenbach, a longtime Gerring performer of marvelously athletic presence, enters by going around in a circle on one side of the stage as he alternately runs and walks.

The New York Times - Arts

"See yourself in the wider context by going around and finding out what everybody else does and how you fit in, and find the good people in your organisation to watch and learn from," she says.

The Guardian

A native of St. Lucia, the 30-ish Mr. McDoom has lived for the last decade in Paris, where he seems to shock no one by going around in gold mesh trousers and five-inch Manolo Blahniks.

The New York Times - Style

The problem with OPEC, as in most cartels, is that the incentive for any individual suppliers is to "cheat" the system by going around restrictions.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, use "by going around" to clearly indicate a method of avoidance or circumvention, ensuring the context makes the intended meaning clear to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "by going around" when a more direct approach is more appropriate or efficient. Overusing indirect methods can make your writing sound convoluted or evasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by going around" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates the means or method by which an action is performed, specifically involving circumvention or avoidance. Ludwig examples demonstrate this usage in diverse contexts, from physical navigation to strategic maneuvering.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by going around" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe the act of circumventing or avoiding something, often to achieve a goal indirectly. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in News & Media, Science and Wiki. The phrase is suitable for diverse registers, although more formal synonyms might exist, it can be used without problems. Usage tips include using it to clearly indicate avoidance and ensuring the context supports this meaning. Ludwig AI lists alternatives like "by circumventing" and "by bypassing" which are all related ways of saying something similar.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by circumventing

Focuses on directly avoiding an obstacle or rule.

by bypassing

Emphasizes the act of skipping or avoiding a step or process.

by skirting

Suggests avoiding an issue or problem without directly addressing it.

by navigating around

Highlights the skill and effort involved in avoiding something.

by detouring

Implies taking an alternate route to avoid an obstacle.

by evading

Focuses on skillfully avoiding something, often with a negative connotation.

by steering clear of

Emphasizes a conscious decision to avoid something.

by sidestepping

Suggests a quick and nimble way of avoiding something.

by finding a workaround

Highlights the act of discovering an alternative method to overcome a challenge.

through indirect means

Broadly refers to achieving a goal without directly confronting the obstacle.

FAQs

How can I use "by going around" in a sentence?

You can use "by going around" to describe a method of avoiding something or achieving a goal indirectly. For example, "They avoided the traffic jam "by going around" the city center."

What are some alternatives to "by going around"?

Alternatives include "by circumventing", "by bypassing", or "by skirting", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "by going around" instead of a more direct approach?

Use "by going around" when a direct approach is impossible, impractical, or undesirable. It implies a strategic choice to avoid confrontation or overcome obstacles indirectly.

Is "by going around" considered formal or informal language?

"By going around" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or professional writing.