hovering around

USAGE SUMMARY

'hovering around' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe something that is moving slowly in a certain area. For example, "The dragonfly was hovering around the pond, its wings shimmering in the sunlight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Just look at the names hovering around!

The Guardian - Sport

But it doesn't stop big teams coming and hovering around".

Independent

Today the stock is hovering around $42 per share.

TechCrunch

"It's hovering around 60.

Huffington Post

Bay Area: Temperatures hovering around 60 with partly cloudy skies.

Los Angeles Times

And not just hovering around being an obvious glitch.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

They hover around on the margins.

The Guardian - Film

(Prices this year will hover around $5,000).

TechCrunch

Yellow jackets hover around to investigate.

Vice

Today, the population hovers around 2,000.

Vice

The number hovers around 6.827.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hovering around" to depict something that is nearby or in the vicinity without a fixed position. For example, "butterflies hovering around the garden" describes their presence but lacks precise location

Common error

Avoid using "hovering around" to describe something in a fixed or static location. It's more appropriate for things in motion or fluctuating values, not for something permanently situated. Instead, consider "located near", "positioned at", or "situated in" for static locations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hovering around" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. It indicates proximity or approximate location, either physically or numerically. Ludwig's examples showcase its role in describing fluctuating values and nearby locations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hovering around" is a versatile prepositional phrase primarily used to indicate approximation, nearness, or indefinite positioning, both physically and numerically. Ludwig's analysis highlights its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news, media and science. While it's suitable for various contexts, it's crucial to use it when describing motion or fluctuating values, and not for static positions. Remember to consider alternatives like "circling around" or "in the vicinity of" for subtly different meanings. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, making it a valuable addition to your writing toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

circling around

Emphasizes a circular movement or orbit around a central point.

floating around

Suggests a light, undirected movement within a space.

lingering near

Focuses on staying in close proximity without specific movement.

in the vicinity of

Highlights a general area or closeness without indicating movement.

approximating

Indicates nearing a certain level/point or value.

in the neighborhood of

Highlights that something is close, but not perfectly accurate.

orbiting

Refers to revolving around something.

milling about

Suggests aimless movement in a confined space.

dawdling about

Focuses on slow, leisurely movement without a specific destination.

loitering about

Suggests lingering with no specific purpose.

FAQs

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

"Hovering around" is used to describe something that is near a particular place or value without being exactly on it. For example, "The bees were hovering around the hive" or "The unemployment rate is hovering around 5%".

What are some alternatives to "hovering around"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "circling around", "floating around", or "in the vicinity of".

Is it correct to say "hovering around" a specific number, or should I use another phrase?

Yes, it's perfectly correct to say "hovering around" a specific number to indicate an approximate value. For example, "The stock price is hovering around $100". However, if you need to be precise, avoid this phrase.

What's the difference between "hovering around" and "orbiting"?

"Hovering around" generally implies a less structured or defined movement within a certain area, while "orbiting" specifically suggests a circular or elliptical path around a central point. Therefore, it is better to use "orbiting" instead.