clustered around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clustered around" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a group of people or objects that are close together in one particular area or region. For example, "The small villages were clustered around the lake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Above, dark clouds had clustered around like mourners.

The Guardian - Sport

Monitoring wells are clustered around well fields and urban areas.

Geoscience Frontiers

As Disney security clustered around, "I was creating this huge scene," he adds.

University of Pennsylvania

Reporters clustered around.

The New Yorker

"People clustered around me.

The Guardian - Film

Harriott's team clustered around him.

The New Yorker

Slimane and the architects clustered around them.

The New Yorker

His three children clustered around his legs.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The patients were not clustered around the median survival but, instead, fanned out in both directions.

The New Yorker

When a visitor arrived, they eagerly clustered around, talking about themselves.

The New York Times

He could see a crowd of the local kickers clustered around a pool table.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clustered around" to vividly describe the spatial arrangement of objects or people. It implies a close grouping, often around a central point or feature.

Common error

Avoid using "clustered around" when describing abstract concepts that don't involve a physical grouping. For instance, instead of saying "the arguments clustered around the main idea", consider using "revolved around" or "centered on" to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clustered around" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes a spatial relationship, indicating that items or people are grouped closely together near a central point or area. Examples show this in contexts ranging from people around radios to houses around a square.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

24%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clustered around" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe the close grouping of objects or people, often around a central point. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts. It is most prevalent in News & Media, Academia and Science. To enhance your writing, use "clustered around" to paint a vivid picture of spatial arrangements and avoid using it in overly abstract contexts where a physical grouping isn't implied. Consider alternatives such as "centered on" or "focused on" for abstract uses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

huddled around

Implies a close, often protective or secretive grouping.

grouped together near

Replaces "clustered" with "grouped" for a simpler term, and specifies proximity with "near".

congregated around

Implies a more deliberate gathering or meeting.

concentrated around

Suggests a density or intensity in the grouping.

gathered in proximity to

More formal and emphasizes the act of coming together near a specific point.

assembled near

Suggests a more formal or organized arrangement close to something.

centered on

Shifts the focus to the central point itself, rather than the grouping.

collected about

Emphasizes the act of bringing items together.

focused on

Highlights a concentration of attention or resources on a particular subject.

ringed

Uses a verb to describe the formation of a circle around something.

FAQs

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

Use "clustered around" to describe objects or people grouped closely together, especially around a central point. For example, "The fans "clustered around" the stage" or "Houses "clustered around" the town square".

What are some alternatives to "clustered around"?

Alternatives include "grouped together near", "gathered in proximity to", "congregated around", or "focused on", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "clustered around" a theme or idea?

While technically correct, it's more common to use "centered on", "focused on", or "revolved around" when referring to themes or ideas. "Clustered around" is typically used for physical groupings.

What is the difference between "clustered around" and "scattered around"?

"Clustered around" implies a tight grouping in one area, whereas "scattered around" suggests a dispersed distribution over a wider area. They are antonyms describing opposite spatial arrangements.