hanging around

USAGE SUMMARY

"hanging around" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrasal verb that means to spend time in an area without an obvious purpose. For example: I don't mind just hanging around while you're at work - I can find something to do.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He doesn't like hanging around".

The New Yorker

Many drones hanging around in parliament.

The New York Times

They were not interested in hanging around".

The New Yorker

We won't be hanging around, though.

Independent

He was just hanging around.

The Washington Post

Webb was hanging around, too.

The New York Times - Sports

I was just hanging around".

The New York Times - Sports

Why all these body parts hanging around?

Yale University

There's no discretionary income hanging around anymore.

The New York Times

Who's that girl hanging around near you?

The Times

How could you, hanging around with Prince?

The Telegraph

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hanging around" to describe informal situations where someone is spending time in a location without a specific purpose. It implies a relaxed or aimless presence.

Common error

While "hanging around" is perfectly acceptable in casual conversation, it might be too informal for professional or academic writing. Consider using more precise language, such as "lingering", "waiting", or "remaining", to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "hanging around" is as a phrasal verb, specifically the present participle of the verb "hang around". Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It often functions as a continuous action, describing the state of spending time idly or waiting in a place, as illustrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hanging around" is a phrasal verb used to describe spending time in a location without a specific purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While versatile, it is primarily used in neutral to informal contexts, such as news and media or casual conversation. More formal alternatives like "lingering" or "remaining" might be suitable for professional or academic writing. When using "hanging around", consider the context to ensure it aligns with the desired tone and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lingering about

This suggests a slightly more deliberate, but still aimless, presence.

sticking around

This indicates remaining in a place, often waiting for something to happen.

loitering nearby

This implies standing or waiting around without a clear purpose, often in a public place.

dawdling around

This conveys a slow and idle movement or spending of time.

milling about

This suggests a group of people moving around without any particular aim or purpose.

idling nearby

This means spending time doing nothing, close to a specific location.

kicking back

This conveys relaxing and spending time leisurely, but it's more informal.

chilling out

This describes relaxing or taking it easy, often with friends.

wasting time

This emphasizes the unproductive nature of spending time in a place.

passing time

This focuses on filling time, often while waiting for something else.

FAQs

What does "hanging around" mean?

"Hanging around" means spending time in a place without doing anything in particular or waiting for something to happen.

What can I say instead of "hanging around"?

You can use alternatives like "lingering about", "loitering nearby", or "sticking around", depending on the context.

Is "hanging around" formal or informal?

"Hanging around" is considered informal and is best used in casual conversations or informal writing. For formal writing, use more precise alternatives.

How to use "hanging around" in a sentence?

You can use "hanging around" in sentences like, "They were just hanging around the park all day" or "He enjoys hanging around with his friends after school".