me in and out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "me in and out" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a state of being involved or engaged intermittently, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "I feel like you only want me in and out of your life when it's convenient for you."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Where time, shaped by grief, is no longer linear but elastic, pulling me in and out, and the landscape of my life blends the paradox of endings and beginnings.

Huffington Post

You'd have to get me in and out in a helicopter".

The Guardian

"They help me in and out of the room for at least an hour after that".

The New York Times

"They've got to put me in and out of bed," he said.

The New York Times

In fact, I had pneumonia, which kept me in and out of the hospital for a year.

The New York Times - Books

On a return trip, I did better, helped by a thoughtful sales clerk, Michael, who eased me in and out of several styles.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

It took me four hand-in-and-outs to get in the rope.

The New York Times

As Noel explains to me the ins and outs of cosmic ordering, I involuntarily look dubious.

The Guardian

But if you do want to preserve your fruit for longer storage, about halfway through the video Cathy Barrow shows me the ins and outs of canning.

The New York Times

One of my friends from college turned out to work as an editor, so we had a long conversation during which he gave me the ins and outs of the business.

Science Magazine

Once I learned the technique, I did the muscle-activity experiments largely on my own, but George, who is just a master experimentalist, generously spent several hours showing me the ins and outs of fish surgery.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing intermittent involvement, use clearer phrases like "including me on and off" or "occasionally including me" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Do not use the phrase "me in and out" without additional context, as it can be unclear and may not be grammatically correct. Replace it with a more explicit phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "me in and out" functions as part of a larger clause, typically describing the experience of being intermittently involved in a situation or activity. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase isn't grammatically correct, although examples show its usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "me in and out" is used to describe intermittent involvement or movement. While relatively common in news and media contexts, Ludwig AI considers it grammatically incorrect and suggests using clearer alternatives such as "including me on and off" or "occasionally including me". This ensures clarity and avoids potential ambiguity, particularly in formal writing. The phrase's function is to express a state of being sometimes included, often highlighting a lack of consistency. It is important to consider audience expectations and select more precise phrasing for enhanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

having me in and then out

Simplifies the phrase, retaining the core idea of alternating states.

including me on and off

Mirrors the original structure but uses a more common and grammatically sound construction.

including me now and then

Replaces the original phrase with a simpler, more common idiom for occasional inclusion.

intermittently involved with me

Replaces the directness of the original phrase with a more descriptive term for periodic engagement.

periodically engaging with me

Highlights the cyclical nature of the interaction, suggesting repeated starts and stops.

occasionally including me

Shifts the focus to the act of including someone sometimes rather than a continuous state.

alternately including and excluding me

Emphasizes the back-and-forth nature of the inclusion and exclusion.

sometimes incorporating me

Focuses on the act of integrating someone at certain times, rather than a continuous state.

integrating me from time to time

Indicates that inclusion happens occasionally and not consistently.

featuring me sporadically

Highlights the irregular appearance or involvement of someone.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the expression "me in and out"?

Consider using clearer alternatives such as "including me on and off", "occasionally including me", or "alternately including and excluding me" depending on the intended meaning.

Is "me in and out" grammatically correct?

The phrase "me in and out" is not grammatically standard and may sound awkward. It's better to use more explicit phrasing to convey the intended meaning, for example: "integrating me from time to time".

What does "me in and out" typically imply?

The phrase "me in and out" suggests intermittent involvement or movement, but it can be vague. To improve clarity, try using phrases like "periodically engaging with me" or "intermittently involved with me".

Which is a better way to express periodic engagement: "me in and out" or "having me in and then out"?

"Having me in and then out" is slightly better as it conveys a clearer meaning, but both phrases are not ideal. More explicit alternatives such as "alternately including and excluding me" or "including me now and then" are preferable.