drifting around

USAGE SUMMARY

"drifting around" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone or something moving aimlessly or without a specific direction. Example: "I spent the afternoon drifting around the city, exploring new neighborhoods." Alternative expressions include "wandering about," "floating around," and "roaming around."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

As I leave, the other competitors are still drifting around, looking perfectly dignified in their whites.

The Guardian - Sport

The fishermen spend a lot of time drifting around looking at things and talking to each other.

The New Yorker

The waiters are drifting around in a jumble, laying tables at the wrong speed and in the wrong order.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Are there 18,000 stolen blank Italian passports drifting around out there that the United States doesn't know about?

The New York Times - Magazine

Some spiritualists tried to argue that ghosts were drifting around in a posthumous Wonderland of their own.

The Guardian - Books

A 1968 collection that's full of still-brilliant essays and sketches about dreaming, drifting around and downward-spiraling in the Golden State.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Then, it will drift around until it collides with an ordinary proton.

The Economist

For years its spot price drifted around $200 a tonne, ending 2002 near $150.

The Economist

Doba drifted around for days eating freeze-dried goulash and chocolate bars.

The New York Times - Magazine

FOSes (Friends of Stelios), gorgeous young lovelies, drifted around falling out of tiny bikinis.

The Guardian

He's drifted around more, seen more different sides of the world.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drifting around" to vividly describe movement that lacks a clear direction or purpose. It's particularly effective when illustrating a relaxed or aimless state.

Common error

Avoid using "drifting around" when describing actions that are deliberate or energetic. This phrase implies a lack of intention, so choose more active verbs if the subject is engaged in purposeful activity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drifting around" functions as a phrasal verb, modifying another verb or describing a state of being. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is usable in English, describing movement without a specific direction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

13%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "drifting around" is a grammatically correct and usable phrasal verb that describes movement lacking clear direction or purpose. It's most frequently found in News & Media contexts. Ludwig AI validates its usage. While versatile, be mindful of the level of activity you want to convey and select appropriate alternatives when necessary. Ludwig's analysis confirms that "drifting around" is a useful phrase for depicting aimlessness and passivity in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wandering aimlessly

Emphasizes the lack of a specific goal or purpose in the movement.

roaming about

Suggests a more casual and less purposeful movement in a general area.

meandering through

Implies a gentle and winding path through a particular place.

floating about

Conveys a sense of lightness and lack of effort in the movement, often used for objects in air or water.

strolling around

Indicates a leisurely and relaxed pace of movement, often for enjoyment.

hanging around

Suggests spending time in a place without doing much, often in a casual setting.

bumming around

Implies a lack of responsibility or purpose, often associated with travel or leisure.

knocking about

Describes a rough or haphazard movement, often without a clear plan.

milling around

Suggests a gathering of people moving randomly in a confined space.

dawdling along

Implies a slow and unhurried pace, often delaying progress or arrival.

FAQs

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

You can use "drifting around" to describe movement that lacks a clear direction, such as "They were "drifting around" the park, enjoying the sunny weather".

What are some alternatives to "drifting around"?

Alternatives include "wandering aimlessly", "roaming about", or "meandering through", each conveying a slightly different nuance of aimless movement.

Is "drifting around" formal or informal?

"Drifting around" is generally considered informal and is best suited for casual conversation or descriptive writing. More formal contexts might call for alternatives like "moving without direction" or "unfocused movement".

What's the difference between "drifting around" and "wandering around"?

While both phrases suggest aimless movement, "wandering around" often implies a slightly more active and exploratory approach, whereas "drifting around" suggests a more passive and effortless movement.