he is around

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "he is around" is correct and usable in written English.
It means that the person in question is nearby or present in the immediate vicinity. Example: "I haven't seen John all day, but I think he is around here somewhere." This sentence implies that the speaker believes John to be present in the general area, but they are not exactly sure where.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He is around," Mr. Karzai said.

The New York Times

I hope he is around for a few more years".

Independent

As for Compton, he must pray he is around to share, even enhance, their discomfort.

Independent

Have to actively be on guard when he is around, keeping a big distance and not inviting personal contact".

Independent

He will suck the life out of everyone he is around".

The Guardian - Music

Understanding why a father matters when he is around would help explain how to fill the gap when he isn't.

The New York Times - Arts

And when he is around, and there are others, he is the center and I don't count at all".

The New Yorker

But the main thing for Chelsea is that Mourinho is not going anywhere - while he is around, there are more trophies to come.

BBC

He is around here somewhere.

Huffington Post

When he is around and in our house, it seems that life is good.

Huffington Post

The only day he is around is when he has to collect his salary from the block agricultural office at the end of the month".

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he is around" to indicate someone's presence in a general area or their availability for interaction. It's less precise than stating a specific location, but it implies nearness.

Common error

Avoid using "he is around" when you need to specify an exact location. Instead of saying "He is around the corner", provide the specific place: "He is at the coffee shop".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is around" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating someone's presence in a general area, not a specific location. It's a common way to express that someone is nearby or accessible. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

35%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he is around" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate someone's presence in a general area. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts. While it's generally neutral to informal, more formal situations might benefit from more precise language. It's frequently used in news and media, as well as in general writing. For more formal scenarios, consider alternatives like "he is present" or specifying the exact location. Avoid using it when precise location details are required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is nearby

Indicates close proximity.

he is present

Focuses on the state of being there, more formal.

he is about

An alternative way of saying he's in the area.

he is in the vicinity

Highlights a general area rather than a specific location.

he is on the scene

Implies he has arrived at a particular place, often associated with an event.

he can be found

Suggests searching for him in a particular location.

he is within reach

Indicates a possibility of contact or interaction.

he is available

Suggests readiness and accessibility, not just physical presence.

he is on hand

Focuses on readiness to assist, implies he is present and ready.

he is accessible

Similar to 'available', emphasizing the ease of reaching him.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "he is around" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "he is present", "he is available", or "he can be found" depending on the context.

What does "he is around" imply about someone's location?

"He is around" suggests that the person is nearby or in the general vicinity, but not necessarily at a precise location. It implies presence without pinpointing exact whereabouts.

Is it appropriate to use "he is around" in professional writing?

While acceptable, "he is around" is more informal. In professional contexts, consider using more precise and formal alternatives like "he is present" or specifying the location.

What's the difference between "he is around" and "he is about"?

The phrases "he is around" and "he is about" are largely interchangeable and suggest someone is in the general area. However, "he is about" can sometimes imply that the person is actively engaged in something.