hang around with

USAGE SUMMARY

"hang around with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to spending time with a group of people, such as your friends. For example, "I love to hang around with my friends on the weekends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I don't hang around with artsy people.

The Guardian - Books

Would she want to hang around with mom and dad?

The Guardian

In other words, a fun guy to hang around with.

The New Yorker

"I just hang around with them when there's nobody else.

The New Yorker

You cannot hang around with beans on toast.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I don't really hang around with anyone any more.

The Guardian - Books

He acts like everybody else that I hang around with.

The New York Times - Magazine

There's no place to hang around with a friend.

The New York Times

"And to have another family to hang around with".

The New York Times - Sports

"I wanted to hang around with the guy all day".

The New York Times

My mother told me not to hang around with him.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hang around with", consider the context to ensure it aligns with the desired level of formality; it's generally suitable for casual or informal situations. Avoid using it in formal business or academic writing.

Common error

Avoid using "hang around with" in academic papers or formal business communications. Opt for more formal alternatives like "associate with" or "spend time with" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hang around with" functions as a verb phrase indicating social interaction or companionship. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it commonly describes spending time with others, often in an informal setting. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

31%

News & Media

26%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hang around with" is a common and acceptable way to describe spending time with someone in a casual setting. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for general use but should be avoided in formal academic or business contexts. The examples from Ludwig show its frequent appearance in news articles and informal guides like WikiHow. When a more formal tone is required, consider alternatives such as "spend time with" or "associate with".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spend time with

Emphasizes the act of dedicating time to someone's company, focusing on the duration rather than casual association.

associate with

Suggests a more formal or intentional connection, often implying shared interests or activities.

pal around with

An informal phrase that highlights a friendly and casual relationship.

keep company with

Implies a deliberate act of providing companionship, often in a more traditional or formal context.

socialize with

Focuses on the act of interacting socially, emphasizing communication and shared activities in a group.

get together with

Implies a planned or arranged meeting, suggesting a more organized social interaction.

mingle with

Highlights the act of moving and interacting with different people, typically in a social gathering.

relate with

Focuses on establishing a connection or understanding with others, often on an emotional or intellectual level.

interface with

Suggests a formal interaction, typically within a business or technical context.

join forces with

Implies collaboration towards a specific goal, highlighting a partnership or alliance.

FAQs

What does "hang around with" mean?

The phrase "hang around with" means to spend time with someone or a group of people, usually in a casual and relaxed manner.

What are some alternatives to "hang around with"?

You can use alternatives like "spend time with", "associate with", or "keep company with" depending on the context.

Is "hang around with" formal or informal?

"Hang around with" is considered an informal expression and is more suitable for casual conversation rather than formal writing.

How can I use "hang around with" in a sentence?

You can use "hang around with" like this: "I like to hang around with my friends on the weekends" or "She doesn't hang around with people who are mean to others."