is surrounded by

USAGE SUMMARY

"is surrounded by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is encircled or surrounded by something else, like in the sentence: "The castle is surrounded by a thick stone wall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is surrounded by hypocrisy.

The New York Times

It is surrounded by woods.

The New York Times

The property is surrounded by woods.

The New Yorker

Now Germany is surrounded by friends.

The Economist

It is surrounded by coral reefs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Everything is surrounded by verdant, tranquil gardens.

Independent

The physician is surrounded by inaccurate stereotypes.

The New York Times

Her temporary office is surrounded by floodwaters.

The New York Times

Cork city is surrounded by them.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Berlin is surrounded by storks and wolves.

The New York Times

Marda is surrounded by a wire fence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is surrounded by" to describe physical environments, abstract concepts, or emotional states where something is entirely encompassed or heavily influenced by its surroundings.

Common error

Avoid excessive passive voice. While "is surrounded by" is grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound weak. Whenever possible, rephrase to use active voice for a more direct and engaging style. For example, instead of "The city is surrounded by mountains", consider "Mountains surround the city".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is surrounded by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being enclosed or encircled. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used in various contexts, with the subject being acted upon.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is surrounded by" is a versatile and commonly used passive construction that describes something being enclosed or encircled. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. While overuse of passive voice should be avoided, "is surrounded by" is appropriate when the focus is on the subject being acted upon rather than the actor. Consider using synonyms like "is encircled by" or "is bordered by" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is encircled by

Emphasizes a more complete and often geometric enclosure.

is encompassed by

Implies a broader, more comprehensive inclusion.

is enclosed by

Focuses on the feeling of being confined or contained.

is girdled by

Suggests being encircled as if by a belt or band.

is bordered by

Suggests a boundary or edge rather than a full enclosure.

is hemmed in by

Implies being restricted or constrained by surrounding elements.

is wrapped in

Conveys a sense of being covered or enveloped.

is confined by

Highlights the restrictive aspect of being enclosed.

is fringed with

Describes an edge or border that is decorated or finished with something.

is beset by

Indicates being troubled or harassed by something all around.

FAQs

How can I use "is surrounded by" in a sentence?

Use "is surrounded by" to describe something that is encircled or enclosed by something else. For example, "The house "is surrounded by" a beautiful garden".

What are some alternatives to "is surrounded by"?

You can use alternatives such as "is encircled by", "is bordered by", or "is enclosed by" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "is surrounded by"?

While "is surrounded by" is in the passive voice, sometimes it's the most appropriate choice. However, consider using the active voice when possible for a more direct sentence. For example, instead of "The fort "is surrounded by" high walls", you could say "High walls surround the fort".

What's the difference between "is surrounded by" and "is bordered by"?

"Is surrounded by" implies a complete enclosure, while "is bordered by" suggests that something is only along the edge or boundary. For instance, a house might be surrounded by a fence, but a country is bordered by another country.