either flow around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "either flow around" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing options or alternatives regarding movement or direction, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "In this situation, we can either flow around the obstacles or find a way to overcome them directly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

During amoeboid feeding, pseudopodia either flow around and engulf prey or trap it in a fine, sticky mesh.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It envisions literally bending space and time so that light will flow around the object.

Science Magazine

The latest wave has, once again, flowed around.

The Economist

Fleet herds of light-footed creatures flowed around the house with the wind.

The New Yorker

With all this lifeblood flowing around, we hope it doesn't get messy.

The Guardian - Music

Lazy Rivers need to be constantly pumped in order to keep flowing around and around.

Huffington Post

Air does not flow "down" pressure gradients; it flows "around" them due to the Coriolis effect (Earth spinning).

WikiHow

Morphologic and genetic intergradation occurs between populations along either side of the mountain, suggesting ongoing gene flow around most of the ring distribution.

BMC Biology

Click here to follow the flow around that tag.

The New York Times

The women flow around them like water, moulding and moving them without seeming to do so.

The Guardian - Books

Mr. Bugane says the valleys allow steam to flow around the raw pasta as it cooks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "either flow around" when presenting a choice between circumventing an obstacle and dealing with it directly. This highlights the option of avoidance.

Common error

Avoid using "either flow around" without a clear alternative presented. The phrase implies a choice, so always provide the other option for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "either flow around" functions as a prepositional phrase that presents a choice between two actions. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it is frequently used to describe the act of movement or navigation around something, be it physical or abstract.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

48%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "either flow around" is a phrase used to present a choice involving the act of circumventing something rather than confronting it directly. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct, although not particularly common. It appears in various contexts, including science, news, and encyclopedias, maintaining a neutral register. To ensure clarity, always provide the alternative option when using this phrase. Consider alternatives like "navigate around", "bypass", or "circumvent" based on the context. While the phrase is valid, it's crucial to use it intentionally to offer a genuine alternative. Always present the other option for clarity. Overall, "either flow around" is a useful but infrequent expression when you want to specify a choice to avoid, bypass, or circumvent something rather than dealing with it head-on.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flow around

Omits the 'either', suggesting a general action rather than a choice between options.

navigate around

Emphasizes the act of guiding oneself carefully to avoid something.

bypass

Implies a direct route taken to avoid an obstacle, with a stronger connotation of intentional avoidance.

go around

A more general and less formal way of expressing movement around something.

find a way around

Highlights the problem-solving aspect of avoiding an obstacle.

circumvent

Suggests clever or strategic avoidance, often implying a challenge or rule.

detour around

Suggests a temporary deviation from a direct path.

skirt around

Implies avoiding the central point of something, often in a metaphorical sense.

get around

Informal way to indicate overcoming or bypassing an obstacle or rule.

move around

A very general term for changing position relative to something.

FAQs

How can I use "either flow around" in a sentence?

Use "either flow around" when presenting two options, one of which involves circumventing something. For example: "We can "either flow around" the problem, or address it head-on".

What does "either flow around" mean?

The phrase "either flow around" suggests choosing between directly confronting an obstacle and navigating or circumventing it.

What are some alternatives to "either flow around"?

Alternatives include "navigate around", "bypass", or "circumvent", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "either flow around" or "flow around"?

It depends on the context. "Flow around" simply describes the act of circumventing, while "either flow around" presents it as one of two options. If you're presenting a choice, use "either flow around".