hanging out

USAGE SUMMARY

"hanging out" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about spending leisure time with friends or family. For example, "We spent the evening hanging out at the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're hanging out".

The New Yorker

Just hanging out.

The New York Times

People were hanging out windows.

The New York Times

"People were just hanging out.

Independent

"His guts are hanging out".

The New York Times

No hanging out, then.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I'm embracing hanging out".

The Guardian - Film

"He was sneaking in and hanging out".

The New York Times - Arts

Us hanging out with dead bodies.

The New Yorker

He began hanging out on street corners.

The New York Times

It's like hanging out with Mark Twain".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about planned activities, consider alternatives like "meeting up" or "getting together" for a more structured feel.

Common error

Avoid using "hanging out" in formal or professional writing. Opt for more professional alternatives such as "meeting" or "networking" depending on the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hanging out" primarily functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the act of spending time casually and informally. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct and usable in written English, fitting into casual conversation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hanging out" is a grammatically correct and very common phrasal verb used to describe spending time casually and informally. As Ludwig AI states, it's suitable for everyday conversation and informal writing. While it's prevalent in News & Media and Wiki contexts, it's less appropriate for formal or professional settings. For these situations, it is better to consider alternatives such as "meeting up" or "socializing".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chilling out

Emphasizes relaxation and a lack of structured activity.

spending time

Focuses on the act of allocating time, rather than the casual nature of the activity.

kicking back

Implies relaxing and enjoying oneself, often after work or exertion.

lounging around

Suggests a relaxed and lazy way of spending time.

mingling

Highlights circulating and interacting with various people.

socializing

Highlights the interaction with others more than the activity itself.

relaxing

Focuses solely on the act of unwinding and becoming less tense.

associating with

Focuses on the act of being connected with someone, spending some time together.

unwinding

Suggests releasing tension and stress.

passing time

Emphasizes the act of making the time go by.

FAQs

How to use "hanging out" in a sentence?

"Hanging out" is used to describe spending time with someone in a relaxed and informal way. For example, you could say, "We are just "hanging out" at my place tonight."

What can I say instead of "hanging out"?

You can use alternatives like "spending time", "chilling out", or "relaxing" depending on the context.

Is "hanging out" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "hanging out" is generally considered informal. Use more formal alternatives like "meeting" or "socializing" in professional contexts.

What's the difference between "hanging out" and "meeting up"?

"Hanging out" implies a casual, unstructured way of spending time, while "meeting up" suggests a more planned or purposeful encounter.