linger outside

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "linger outside" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of staying in a place for a longer time than necessary, particularly in an outdoor setting. Example: "After the event ended, many guests chose to linger outside, enjoying the cool evening air and chatting with friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Though no campfires were permitted, there were reasons to linger outside tents.

The New York Times

"If you have a patio, porch or deck, it makes you linger outside longer," she said.

The New York Times

After dinner, linger outside on the tiny streetside patio over an artisanal Umbrian beer, like the unfiltered multi-grain Birra Grifona from local craft brewery Birrificio Artigiano.

The New York Times - Travel

There were two gay bars in the neighborhood where I grew up, and I used to linger outside them as a teenager when I walked the family dog.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was a humid afternoon, too hot to linger outside, but Haiti's President, Michel Martelly, was scheduled to appear, and any appearance by Martelly was bound to be entertaining.

The New Yorker

NEWARK — A FEW Saturdays ago, at the early evening hour when children linger outside to wring the last fun they can from the day, a series of gunshots split the air near the corner of Chadwick and Avon Avenues.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

After training, they lingered outside, telling jokes, arguing over the size of their respective biceps.

The New York Times - Sports

For many days, the press lingered outside, interviewing Miraflorans incensed at having Berenson in their midst.

The New York Times - Magazine

It lingers outside doors, waits for the elevator and hovers at windows.

The Guardian - Arts

Before entering the interview tent to meet with reporters, Woods lingered outside and scrolled through the texts on his smartphone.

The New York Times - Sports

They were packed into houses that were then torched, with Lukic lingering outside to shoot any who tried to escape.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "linger outside" to convey a sense of leisurely or hesitant presence in an outdoor area. It's particularly effective when describing someone who is reluctant to leave or is enjoying the surroundings.

Common error

Avoid using "linger outside" in contexts where "loiter" might be more appropriate, as "linger" generally implies a neutral or positive reason for remaining, whereas "loiter" often suggests suspicious or unwanted presence.

Linguistic Context

Linger outside functions as a verb phrase followed by an adverb, describing the act of remaining or staying longer than expected in an outdoor space. Ludwig AI identifies this phrase as grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

7%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "linger outside" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as validated by Ludwig AI. It effectively describes the act of remaining in an outdoor area for a prolonged period, suggesting a relaxed or hesitant presence. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for diverse contexts. While alternatives like "remain outdoors" or "hang around outside" exist, "linger outside" provides a balanced and widely accepted way to depict extended outdoor presence. It's essential to consider the connotations of the alternatives to ensure the chosen phrase accurately conveys the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remain outdoors

Focuses on the state of being outside, emphasizing the location more than the duration.

stay out

Implies a choice to not enter a building, with a simpler and more general meaning.

hang around outside

Suggests an informal and casual way of spending time outdoors.

loiter around

Often carries a negative connotation, implying suspicious or unwanted lingering.

tarry outdoors

A more formal and old-fashioned way of saying "linger outside".

dawdle outside

Implies slow and aimless movement while remaining outside.

prolong one's stay outdoors

More formal, emphasizes the act of extending the time spent outside.

continue to stay outdoors

Focuses on the continuation of being outside, rather than the act of lingering.

wait in the open air

Highlights waiting and being exposed to the elements.

remain in the exterior

Formal, uses "exterior" instead of "outside" to describe the outer area.

FAQs

How can I use "linger outside" in a sentence?

You can use "linger outside" to describe someone staying in an outdoor area for a longer time than expected. For example, "After the concert, many fans chose to "linger outside" to discuss their favorite songs".

What are some alternatives to "linger outside"?

Alternatives include phrases like "remain outdoors", "hang around outside", or "stay out", each carrying slightly different connotations regarding the manner of staying outside.

Is "linger outside" formal or informal?

"Linger outside" has a neutral tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though alternatives like "tarry outdoors" are more formal, and "hang around outside" is more informal.

What does it mean to "linger outside"?

To "linger outside" means to stay in an outdoor location for a prolonged period, often without a specific purpose or reason to remain, suggesting a relaxed or hesitant presence.