jumping around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "jumping around" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action when someone is moving around energetically and not staying in one place for very long. For example: "The children were jumping around, laughing and having fun."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jumping around.

The New York Times - Sports

jumping around here.

The New Yorker

He's jumping around in happiness again.

The New York Times

There's no point jumping around.

The Guardian - Sport

We're jumping around the world here.

Yale University

"I started jumping around," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I remember jumping around and laughing.

The New Yorker

"He wasn't jumping around at all.

The New York Times

"I started jumping around," Pelfrey said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm not going to be jumping around smiling and everything.

The New York Times - Sports

"I showed it out there, jumping around, acting crazy.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "jumping around" to depict energetic movement or a lack of focus. For example, "The kids were jumping around excitedly" or "The conversation was jumping around from topic to topic".

Common error

While "jumping around" is acceptable in many situations, it might be too informal for academic papers or business reports. Consider using more precise verbs like "fluctuating" or "shifting" depending on the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "jumping around" primarily functions as a present participle phrase, often used to describe an ongoing action or state. Ludwig shows it is used both literally, describing physical movement, and figuratively, describing a shifting focus.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

19%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "jumping around" is a versatile expression used to depict energetic physical movement or a shifting focus. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically sound and readily usable in written English. It's most commonly found in news and media, with some presence in academic and wiki contexts. While generally acceptable, it’s advisable to use more formal alternatives like "fluctuating" or "shifting" in highly formal settings. Remember that "jumping around" typically implies either high energy or a lack of concentration, and its specific meaning depends heavily on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bouncing about

Emphasizes a light, energetic movement, often in a playful or restless manner.

hopping around

Suggests a series of small jumps, often to express excitement or impatience.

leaping about

Implies larger, more exaggerated jumps, possibly indicating great joy or enthusiasm.

skipping around

Conveys a light and carefree movement, often associated with children or lighthearted situations.

frolicking about

Describes playful and lively movement, often in a natural setting.

cavorting around

Suggests boisterous and unrestrained behavior, often in a festive or celebratory context.

moving erratically

Focuses on the lack of a clear pattern or direction in the movement.

darting about

Highlights quick, sudden movements from place to place.

flitting around

Emphasizes lightness and rapid changes in direction, often used metaphorically.

ranging over

Emphasizes movement accross an area.

FAQs

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

You can use "jumping around" to describe energetic physical activity, like "The children were "jumping around" in the park", or to describe a lack of focus, like "The discussion kept "jumping around" to different topics".

What's a more formal alternative to "jumping around"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "fluctuating", "shifting", or "ranging over" to maintain a more formal tone.

Is it correct to say "jump around" instead of "jumping around"?

While "jump around" can be grammatically correct, it usually has a different meaning, often referring to the act of jumping in various directions or locations, rather than the continuous action of ""jumping around"".

What does "jumping around" imply about the subject's behavior?

Generally, ""jumping around"" implies energetic, sometimes erratic behavior or a lack of sustained focus, depending on the context.