fooling around

USAGE SUMMARY

"fooling around" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It means to play or engage in lighthearted or silly activities. You can use it in a sentence when describing someone's behavior or actions that are not serious or productive. Example: "The kids were fooling around in the park, chasing each other and playing tag."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Fooling around".

The New York Times

They're not fooling around".

The New York Times

We're not fooling around anymore".

The New York Times - Sports

Think it's clear that he's fooling around?

The New Yorker

"They thought I was just fooling around".

The New York Times

"We were just fooling around," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Or is he still fooling around?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Just fooling around," my oldest daughter said.

The New York Times - Tech

"I was fooling around," he said.

The New York Times

"I mean, it's fooling around," Kirsten said.

The New Yorker

"I feel like I'm fooling around," he says.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fooling around" to describe lighthearted, playful, or unserious behavior. It's suitable for informal contexts and can convey a sense of levity.

Common error

Avoid using "fooling around" in professional or academic writing where a more formal tone is expected. Opt for phrases like "engaging in unproductive activities" or "behaving unprofessionally" to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fooling around" functions primarily as a gerund phrase, often used as a verb complement or part of a continuous verb tense. It describes an action or activity, typically one that is playful, unserious, or unproductive. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

7%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fooling around" is a very common gerund phrase used to describe lighthearted, playful, or unserious behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across varied contexts, especially in News & Media. While the phrase is generally considered informal and neutral, it should be avoided in formal or academic writing where a more professional tone is required. Consider alternatives such as "playing around" or "goofing off" in informal settings and "engaging in unproductive activities" in more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

playing around

A very similar phrase, but can also imply experimentation or casual engagement.

goofing off

Implies being idle and avoiding work or responsibility; slightly more informal.

kidding around

Focuses on playful teasing or joking, rather than general frivolous behavior.

horsing around

Suggests boisterous and possibly disruptive play; carries a slightly more negative connotation.

messing around

Suggests aimless or unproductive activity; can also imply tampering with something.

larking about

British English term for playful and frivolous behavior; regional variation.

skylarking

Implies carefree and energetic play; somewhat old-fashioned.

tomfoolery

Indicates silly or foolish behavior; more formal and often disapproving.

having fun

A broader term that encompasses many types of enjoyable activity, not necessarily frivolous.

whiling away time

Focuses on spending time idly, without necessarily implying playful behavior.

FAQs

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

"Fooling around" is a gerund phrase that describes engaging in playful or unserious activities. For example, "The kids were "fooling around" in the park."

What's a good alternative to "fooling around"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "goofing off", "playing around", or "horsing around".

Is "fooling around" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "fooling around" is generally not appropriate for formal writing. Use more professional terms like "engaging in unproductive activities" or "behaving unprofessionally".

What is the difference between "fooling around" and "messing around"?

While similar, "fooling around" often implies playful or lighthearted behavior, while "messing around" can suggest aimless or unproductive activity, or even tampering with something.