lying around somewhere

USAGE SUMMARY

"lying around somewhere" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is not in a specific location and could be found in various places. Example: I can't find my keys anywhere. They must be lying around somewhere.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Of course, there is not £46.4bn lying around somewhere, as the fund is notional.

The Guardian

The others are just lying around somewhere".

The Guardian - Books

But I am not a thing that is just lying around somewhere, like a pen, or a toaster, or a housewife.

The New Yorker

Puberty Boy by Geoff Price, (Allen & Unwin, £9.99) Leave this casually lying around somewhere so your 12 year-old boy can make off with it without comment.

The Guardian - Books

In the months since Jennifer Mascia and I began publishing this daily Gun Report, I have become more than a little obsessed with children shooting other children because they accidentally discharged a gun they found lying around somewhere.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, no one took any pictures while I was on the fence, or at the hospital afterward, so I'll never be able to do my story full justice, though I do have the iron spike lying around somewhere.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

They never told me where they found all of the materials, they just happened to lay around somewhere in the Ghetto.

Huffington Post

Ok, fair chance you don't – I sure do because I have one of those lying around here somewhere.

TechCrunch

Complicating matters, there are also tens of thousands of additional weapons believed to be lying around… somewhere.

Vice

You can see me sometimes in frame, just lying around around them somewhere.

Vice

Mom insisted that she'd tried to email the woman but that it wouldn't go through, and that if she could find the letter again, which she said was lying around the house somewhere, then maybe she'd get in touch with her.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lying around somewhere", ensure the context makes it clear what 'somewhere' refers to. If the location is ambiguous, consider specifying a more precise area.

Common error

Avoid using "lying around somewhere" when a specific location is already known or implied. Overusing 'somewhere' can make your writing vague. If you know it's in the garage, say "lying around in the garage" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lying around somewhere" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, typically indicating the manner or location of an action. It suggests a state of being casually located, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Lying around somewhere" is a commonly used phrase to describe items that are not in a specific, designated place, as validated by Ludwig. It functions as an adverbial phrase, often implying a degree of casualness or disorganization. While acceptable across various contexts, it's more suited to informal settings, though frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources. Related alternatives include "scattered about" and "lying about", each offering a slightly different nuance. Remember to use "lying around somewhere" when the exact location is unknown, but avoid overusing it to maintain clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lying about

A more concise and common synonym, omitting the 'somewhere' for brevity.

not put away

Directly states the failure to store something properly.

scattered about

Focuses more on the distribution of items over an area, rather than their lack of a specific place.

loosely positioned

Focuses on the lack of secure or stable placement.

casually misplaced

Highlights that something is lost or out of place, implying unintentionality.

left in a haphazard manner

Emphasizes the disorganization and lack of care in how something was left.

randomly situated

Stresses the lack of intention in the item's position.

unorganized placement

Replaces the expression with a noun phrase that underlines the absence of order.

at loose ends

Implies an untidy or unfinished state regarding arrangement.

lying idle

Highlights the inactivity or lack of use of the item, rather than just its location.

FAQs

How can I use "lying around somewhere" in a sentence?

You can use "lying around somewhere" to describe items that are not in their proper place or whose exact location is uncertain. For example, "I can't find my keys; they must be "lying around somewhere" in the house."

What does "lying around somewhere" imply about the item's condition?

"Lying around somewhere" often implies that the item is accessible but not necessarily cared for or properly stored. It suggests a casual disarray rather than a deliberate arrangement.

Are there more formal alternatives to "lying around somewhere"?

While "lying around somewhere" is acceptable in many contexts, more formal alternatives might include "misplaced", "unaccounted for", or "not in its designated location", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "lying around somewhere" and "lying around everywhere"?

"Lying around somewhere" suggests the item is in one of many possible unspecified locations, while "lying around everywhere" implies it's scattered across multiple locations, creating a sense of widespread disorganization.