doing around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doing around" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be an attempt to convey a sense of engaging in activities or being present in a location, but it lacks clarity and proper usage. Example: "I was just doing around the house, trying to find something to occupy my time."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"What are you doing around New Year's?

The New Yorker

"That's what we're used to doing around here," Sprewell said.

The New York Times - Sports

So what is Apple interested in doing around that?

The Guardian - Tech

This, as it happens, is something that other organizations started doing around the same time.

The New Yorker

"I'm very conscious of the work that London Marathon are doing around safety and security.

Independent

"Before, the local lorry drivers were doing around 500 trips a day," Mr Rozo says.

The Economist

What is your university doing around the issue of sexual consent?

The Guardian

"It's a great way to see what other specialists are doing around the country," he says.

The New York Times

Then, she said, there was another voice, "What are you doing around here"?

The New Yorker

We've got a lot of confidence in what we're doing around here.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Boeing stubbornly insists that it can meet its commitments by doing around-the-clock flight-testing.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and precision, replace "doing around" with more specific verbs or phrases that accurately describe the action or state, such as "working on", "hanging around", or "involved in".

Common error

Avoid using "doing around" as a catch-all phrase when a more descriptive verb would provide better context and clarity for the reader. Be specific about the activity or state you're trying to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing around" functions as a verb phrase, often used informally to describe general activity or presence in a location. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase isn't considered correct in standard written English, suggesting it may be more colloquial.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

27%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "doing around" appears frequently in various sources, Ludwig AI points out that it is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. Its informal nature makes it more appropriate for casual conversation than formal writing. For clarity and precision, consider using alternatives such as "hanging around", "working on", or "involved in". Remember to select the phrase that best reflects the intended meaning in your context. While seemingly common, using "doing around" may detract from the overall quality of your writing in professional or academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hanging around

Indicates spending time idly or without a specific purpose in a place.

messing around

Suggests engaging in playful or frivolous activities.

involved with

Describes being engaged or participating in something.

occupied with

Implies being busy or engaged with a task or activity.

working on

Refers to currently being in the process of completing a task or project.

engaged in

Similar to involved with, but often implies a more formal or structured participation.

active in

Describes actively participating or contributing to something.

busying oneself with

Implies keeping oneself occupied, often with minor tasks.

preoccupied with

Suggests being deeply absorbed in thought or activity.

loitering about

Indicates lingering or standing around without a clear purpose, often in a public space.

FAQs

What does "doing around" mean?

The phrase "doing around" generally implies engaging in activities or spending time in a particular place. However, it is not considered grammatically correct in standard English.

What are some alternatives to "doing around"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "hanging around", "working on", or "involved in".

Is it correct to say "doing around" in formal writing?

No, the phrase "doing around" is not appropriate for formal writing. It is better to use more precise and grammatically correct alternatives.

How can I use alternatives to "doing around" in a sentence?

Instead of "What are you doing around here?" try "What are you "working on"?" or "Why are you "hanging around" here?" depending on the intended meaning.