jamming on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "jamming on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in informal contexts to describe playing music together or engaging in a spontaneous, collaborative activity, often related to music. Example: "We spent the whole afternoon jamming on our favorite songs in the garage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

We're going through this gruelling course of him whamming and jamming on the guitar and one day he hit upon something.

The Guardian - Music

Mr. Buckingham and Mr. Reznor spent one day in the studio, with Mr. Buckingham jamming on multiple tracks; his playing ended up in three songs.

The New York Times - Arts

If you've taken a break from jamming on the "Update" button, it's time to go tap it one last time: the rollout of webOS 1.4 has just begun.

TechCrunch

It can sound like Stevie Wonder's 1970s band jamming on new-jazz harmonies with Spoon.

The New York Times - Arts

"Guitar," Barbieri said, pointing to a cherub with an eerily adult face, jamming on a lute.

The New Yorker

Mike visits the adult-only Lodge and discovers a group of parents jamming on Dylan and Dead tunes.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

He just kind of jammed on his guitar all night.

Independent

The car had jammed on account of me...

The New Yorker

In effect I'd jammed on the accelerator.

The New York Times - Arts

"He's not getting jammed on the line as much.

The New York Times - Sports

"He jammed on the brakes going to the hurdle, and I went out the front door.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "jamming on" to describe informal, collaborative music-making or creative brainstorming sessions. It conveys a sense of spontaneity and shared enthusiasm.

Common error

Avoid using "jamming on" in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more neutral terms like "collaborating" or "improvising" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "jamming on" is that of a phrasal verb. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun, describing an action of musical improvisation or spontaneous collaborative creation. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "jamming on" functions as a phrasal verb that describes informal, spontaneous musical creation or collaborative brainstorming. Ludwig confirms that it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, but it's generally considered informal, as demonstrated by its frequent appearance in news and media. For formal writing, it is better to opt for more neutral alternatives, such as "collaborating" or "improvising". It is advised that you consider the register of your work before employing "jamming on". Overall, while versatile, mindful application is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having a jam session

More explicitly defines the activity as an informal musical gathering.

improvising

Focuses on the spontaneous aspect of creating music or ideas, omitting the collaborative element.

improvising together

Combines the spontaneous and cooperative aspects of the original phrase.

riffing

Implies elaborating on a musical theme or idea, but may not always involve multiple participants.

creating music spontaneously

Emphasizes the extemporaneous composition of music.

playing together

A general term for making music collaboratively, less specific than "jamming on".

making music up on the spot

Focuses on the unrehearsed nature of the musical creation.

collaborating musically

Highlights the cooperative aspect of creating music.

experimenting musically

Focuses on exploring new sounds and musical ideas.

extemporizing music

Uses a more formal term for spontaneous musical creation.

FAQs

What does "jamming on" mean?

The phrase "jamming on" typically means playing music together in an informal, improvisational manner. It can also refer to working together creatively and spontaneously on a project or idea.

How can I use "jamming on" in a sentence?

You can use "jamming on" to describe a musical activity, like "The band spent the evening "jamming on blues" standards". It can also describe brainstorming sessions, such as "We were "jamming on new ideas" for the marketing campaign".

What are some alternatives to "jamming on"?

Alternatives include "improvising", "playing together", "collaborating musically", or "having a jam session" depending on the context.

Is "jamming on" appropriate for formal writing?

While "jamming on" is widely understood, it's generally considered informal. For formal writing, it's best to use more neutral alternatives like "collaborating", "developing", or "improvising".