in circulation

USAGE SUMMARY

"in circulation" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use "in circulation" when you want to describe something that is widely available or widely shared. For example: "Many of the old coins are still in circulation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Various ideas are in circulation.

The Economist

An incipient Minimalism was in circulation.

The New York Times - Arts

Meanwhile, early Cosey material continues in circulation.

The New Yorker

There are too many in circulation.

The New Yorker

There are around 700 newspapers in circulation.

The Economist

Its liabilities are dollars in circulation.

The Economist

That's one theory in circulation.

The Guardian - Business

And they stay in circulation for years.

The New York Times

There are still several stories in circulation.

The New York Times

Identify one newspaper no longer in circulation.

The New York Times

There are 10m waterproof phones in circulation.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to physical items like currency or documents, use "in circulation" to indicate their active use and availability within a system or society.

Common error

Avoid using "in circulation" when you mean "in stock". "In circulation" implies active use and distribution, whereas "in stock" refers to items available for purchase or immediate use but not necessarily being used.

Linguistic Context

The prepositional phrase "in circulation" typically functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate a state of being widely available, used, or known. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is commonly used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in circulation" is a versatile and grammatically sound prepositional phrase that describes something being widely available, used, or known. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its neutral register allows for application across diverse contexts, from news and media to science and business. Remember to use it when referring to items actively moving or accessible within a system, and avoid confusing it with terms like "in stock". By doing so, you ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in use

Emphasizes the active utilization of something.

available

Focuses on the accessibility or obtainability of something.

being distributed

Highlights the process of spreading something out to a wider audience.

making rounds

Implies that something (like information or a rumor) is being passed from person to person.

going around

Suggests widespread prevalence, often used for illnesses or news.

public knowledge

Indicates that information is widely known among people.

on the market

Specifies that something is available for purchase or trade.

in effect

Refers to something (like a law or rule) that is currently operative or valid.

at hand

Implies something readily accessible or immediately available.

up-to-date

Focuses on something being recent and current.

FAQs

How can I use "in circulation" in a sentence?

You can use "in circulation" to describe items or information that are widely available or being actively used, for example, "There are many rumors "making the rounds" about the company's future".

What are some alternatives to saying "in circulation"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "available", "in use", or "public knowledge" instead of "in circulation".

Is it correct to say "the information is in circulation"?

Yes, it is correct. Saying "the information is in circulation" means that the information is being spread or is "publicly available".

What is the difference between "in circulation" and "in distribution"?

"In circulation" implies that something is actively being used or passed around, while "in distribution" refers to the process of spreading something out. For example, money is "in circulation", while a product is "in distribution" before it is purchased and used.