circulate about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "circulate about" can be used in written English.
It means to spread or go around among a group of people or in a specific place. Example: Rumors began to circulate about the new employee's previous job, causing tension among colleagues.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Anxious WhatsApp messages began to circulate about cases and numbers.

The Guardian

Stories circulate about farmers unsuccessfully defying the edict.

The New York Times

And so, in Central Harlem, stories circulate about people taking matters into their own hands.

The New York Times

And rumors continue to circulate about who else will be coming or going.

The New Yorker

Doesn't that rumor circulate about some poor girl in every single high school?

The New York Times

In Vermont various legends circulate about the origins of maple syrup.

The New York Times - Arts

AT THE start of the decade anecdotes began to circulate about the perils of sending white-collar work abroad.

The Economist

This horse causes us to reflect upon all the other horses, man-made and real, which circulate about central London.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

A story circulated about what had happened.

The New York Times

Wild rumours circulated about its finances.

The Economist

Rumours circulated about children with tumours.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "circulate about" to describe the spread of information, rumors, or objects within a specific area or group. Ensure the context implies movement or distribution.

Common error

Do not use "circulate around" as "around" is redundant when "circulate" already implies movement in various directions.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "circulate about" is that of a phrasal verb. It typically functions as the main verb in a sentence, describing the action of something spreading or moving within a defined space or group. Ludwig confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "circulate about" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the spreading of information, rumors, or items within a defined area or group. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use across diverse sources, particularly in News & Media and Encyclopedias. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's essential to avoid redundancy by not using "circulate around". Alternatives such as "spread around" or "be disseminated" may suit different contexts. Understanding the nuances of this phrase ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spread around

Focuses more on the distribution aspect, less formal.

get around

Implies wider distribution or general knowledge.

be disseminated

Formal term emphasizing the controlled distribution of information.

make the rounds

Suggests cyclical distribution or common knowledge.

become widespread

Highlights the extent of the distribution or knowledge.

pass from person to person

Emphasizes interpersonal sharing and propagation.

be propagated

Formal, scientific, or technical distribution.

become known

Focuses on information reaching people's awareness.

travel around

Highlights the journey or movement of information or objects.

go from place to place

Stresses spatial movement and relocation.

FAQs

How can I use "circulate about" in a sentence?

Use "circulate about" to describe how information or rumors spread within a group or area. For example, "Rumors began to "circulate about" the company's financial troubles."

What does "circulate about" mean?

"Circulate about" means to spread or move around among people or in a specific area. It suggests a distribution or dissemination of something, such as information or objects.

Are "circulate about" and "circulate around" interchangeable?

While similar, "circulate around" is often considered redundant. "Circulate" already implies movement in various directions, making ""circulate about"" the more concise and grammatically sound option.

What are some alternatives to "circulate about"?

You can use alternatives such as "spread around", "get around", or "be disseminated" depending on the context. These alternatives convey similar meanings while using different vocabulary.