lingering around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lingering around" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe someone who is lingering in a certain area, usually for an extended period of time. Example: She had been lingering around the store for hours before finally making her purchase.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's not something you want lingering around".

The New York Times - Sports

"It was school-dismissal time, kids were all lingering around, it's Halloween".

The New Yorker

Despite seeing his name at the top of the upgrade list, he confirmed his spot with an agent anyway, lingering around afterward to make sure he wouldn't be bumped.

The New York Times - Travel

The 38-year-old added: "I'd like to start finishing off tournaments like I did 10 years ago - that habit of just really being patient and lingering around and sort of sticking your chin out at the right time.

BBC

If you're wondering why it's taken so long to expand outside the U.S., PayPal Credit has actually been lingering around in a limited U.K. pilot since 2014, when PayPal announced its intention to take the Credit service international.

TechCrunch

The product is currently used by a number of clients, including restaurants, cafes, retail stores, auto dealers, spas, salons and others – basically, anywhere a consumer may be spending time and lingering around, and expects there to be free Wi-Fi.

TechCrunch

Meanwhile, video is one of the more popular services proven to increase the "stickiness" of sites by keeping people lingering around and engaging for longer; it will be interesting to see if it does the trick here, too.

TechCrunch

John Kasich will be lingering around, too.

Vice

"We were all about not having this lingering around during 1996," said Mason.

Huffington Post

And then, of course, there was that white woman passerby still lingering around, clutching her cell phone.

Huffington Post

Free samples and giveaways attract attendees and keep them lingering around, and this will also give you the time to present your products.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lingering around" to convey a sense of someone remaining in a place, often without a specific purpose or with a relaxed attitude. It's ideal when you want to describe a casual or unhurried presence.

Common error

While "lingering around" is suitable for casual situations, avoid using it when a more precise verb like "waiting", "staying", or "loitering" would better convey the specific action or intention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lingering around" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of remaining in a place or area for an extended period, often without a specific purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lingering around" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of remaining in a location for an extended period, often without a specific purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and the examples demonstrate its frequent use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. It is generally neutral in tone, making it suitable for descriptive and narrative styles. While alternatives like "hanging about" or "sticking around" exist, "lingering around" offers a specific nuance of casual and unhurried presence. Understanding its appropriate usage, as well as potential errors, can enhance the clarity and precision of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hanging about

This alternative suggests a more aimless and casual form of lingering.

sticking around

This phrase implies a more deliberate choice to remain, often out of loyalty or support.

loitering

This term carries a negative connotation, suggesting suspicious or unwanted lingering.

dawdling

This implies a slow and unproductive form of lingering, often due to lack of focus.

tarrying

This is a more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying lingering.

remaining

A more general term for staying in a place, lacking the implication of idleness or aimlessness.

staying put

Emphasizes remaining in a single location, often in contrast to traveling or moving.

hovering

Implies a restless or anxious form of lingering, often nearby but not directly engaging.

idling

Suggests a state of inactivity while lingering, often waiting for something to happen.

biding one's time

Implies lingering with a specific purpose or goal in mind, waiting for an opportune moment.

FAQs

What does "lingering around" mean?

"Lingering around" means staying in a place longer than necessary, typically without a clear purpose or destination. It implies a casual or relaxed presence.

What can I say instead of "lingering around"?

You can use alternatives like "hanging about", "sticking around", or "loitering" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "lingering around" in a sentence?

It's appropriate when you want to describe someone staying in a place without a specific or urgent reason, implying a relaxed or aimless presence. For example, "Kids were "hanging around" after school".

What's the difference between "lingering around" and "loitering"?

"Lingering around" is generally neutral and lacks negative connotations, while "loitering" often implies suspicious or unwanted presence. "Loitering" can suggest someone is waiting to commit a crime or cause trouble.