circulate among

USAGE SUMMARY

"circulate among" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about the movement of people, objects, ideas, or information among a certain group or location. Example sentence: The new fashion trends quickly circulated among teenage girls in the mall.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Air and water can't penetrate and circulate among the roots.

The New York Times

Video-clips of Salafist preachers circulate among them.

The Economist

Within the month, the first rumors of discontent began to circulate among us.

The New Yorker

The remaining pieces circulate among Mr. Earl's restaurants or are locked away in his private vault.

The New York Times

This is the kind of thing that happens when poems circulate among friends in manuscript.

The New Yorker

Word began to circulate among the thousand or so scientists involved in the project.

The New Yorker

An aide would circulate among the hotel staff with a fistful of $100 bills for tips.

The New York Times

Normally, state troopers circulate among the tables and quietly ask college students for identification, he said.

The New York Times

The audience were asked to remove their shoes and were then free to circulate among the performers.

The Guardian - Music

Abstract, digital capital flows in the form of information streams that circulate among trading centers around the world.

The New York Times - Arts

Many of the immolations have been captured on camera, and footage and photographs circulate among Tibetan activists.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "circulate among" when you want to emphasize the movement or spread of something within a defined group. For example, "rumors circulate among colleagues" is more specific than "rumors spread."

Common error

While "circulate among" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal documents. Sometimes, simpler alternatives like "spread through" or "distribute within" are more appropriate in formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "circulate among" primarily functions as a prepositional verb phrase. It describes the action of something moving or spreading within a group or area. Ludwig confirms its correct usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "circulate among" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the movement or spread of something within a group. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's frequently found in news, science, and general contexts, suggesting a neutral register. When using the phrase, consider the nuances of alternatives like "spread through" or "disseminate within" to ensure the best fit for your writing. Remember to use "circulate among" when referring to movement within a group of three or more.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spread through

Focuses on the dispersal aspect, emphasizing the extent of reach.

move amongst

Implies physical movement and interaction within a group.

distribute within

Emphasizes the act of allocating or giving out to members of a group.

flow through

Suggests a continuous and dynamic movement within a system.

be disseminated within

A more formal way of saying information is spread.

permeate through

Implies a thorough and pervasive spread, often affecting every part.

pass around

Suggests a casual and informal distribution.

travel between

Focuses on the movement from one point or person to another within a group.

be current among

Emphasizes the present state of being known or used within a group.

gain currency within

Suggests the idea is gaining acceptance or popularity.

FAQs

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

You can use "circulate among" to describe the movement of information, objects, or people within a specific group. For example, "News began to "circulate among" the team members."

What can I say instead of "circulate among"?

You can use alternatives like "spread through", "move amongst", or "distribute within" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "circulate between" instead of "circulate among"?

While "circulate between" suggests movement, it's more appropriate when referring to two distinct entities. "Circulate among" is used when referring to movement within a group of three or more.

What's the difference between "disseminate among" and "circulate among"?

"Disseminate among" implies a more deliberate and formal distribution of information, whereas ""circulate among"" suggests a more natural and less controlled flow.