mixing things up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mixing things up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of changing or altering the usual order or arrangement of things, often to create variety or confusion. Example: "To keep the team engaged, we decided to start mixing things up by introducing new activities each week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

'I like mixing things up,' he says.

The Guardian

"He was mixing things up pretty good.

The New York Times - Sports

Russell says, 'You're mixing things up, Wittgenstein.

The Guardian - Books

"They did a nice job mixing things up," Oklahoma Coach Bob Stoops said of Texas' defense.

The New York Times - Sports

We've been doing a good job of mixing things up lately.

The New York Times - Sports

The category has been around but keeps mixing things up with eye-catching new features.

The New York Times

Part of a game plan, perhaps, to keep mixing things up?

The Guardian - Film

"I love mixing things up and doing all this metalinguistic stuff that I do.

The New York Times - Arts

Asked if he was intentionally mixing things up, Mr. Brauchli said, "there's an element of that".

The New York Times

"Zvonareva, just the way she went about her business, was mixing things up just to work with the conditions.

The New York Times

But if a female Doctor isn't imminent, wouldn't a female Master be a fun place to start mixing things up?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mixing things up" to indicate a deliberate introduction of variety or change, especially when seeking to prevent stagnation or predictability.

Common error

While "mixing things up" is widely understood, it can sound informal in certain professional or academic settings. Opt for alternatives like "diversifying the approach" or "revising the strategy" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mixing things up" functions as a verb phrase, often used as part of a continuous verb tense. It typically acts as the predicate of a sentence, indicating an action of introducing variety or change. Ludwig provides several examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

14%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

16%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mixing things up" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to describe the act of introducing variety or change. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from diverse sources, particularly in news, sports and wikis. While generally neutral to informal, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "diversifying the approach" in professional settings. As Ludwig suggests, "mixing things up" aims to prevent stagnation and can be a useful strategy in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shaking things up

Emphasizes a more disruptive or impactful change.

stirring things up

Suggests causing excitement or controversy through change.

changing things around

A more general and neutral way of expressing alteration.

varying the routine

Focuses on changing a regular pattern or habit.

diversifying the approach

Implies adding variety to a method or strategy.

introducing novelty

Highlights the introduction of something new or unusual.

switching gears

Suggests a change in focus or direction.

adopting a different tack

Implies changing strategy or method to achieve a goal.

modifying the formula

Suggests altering a set method or recipe.

revising the strategy

Focuses on making changes to a planned approach.

FAQs

How can I use "mixing things up" in a sentence?

You can use "mixing things up" to describe introducing variety or change in a situation, for example: "To keep the team engaged, we're "mixing things up" by trying new activities each week."

What are some alternatives to "mixing things up"?

Alternatives include "shaking things up", "changing things around", or "varying the routine", depending on the specific context.

Is "mixing things up" appropriate for formal writing?

While acceptable, it may be perceived as informal. Consider using phrases like "diversifying the approach" or "revising the strategy" in more formal settings.

What's the nuance between "mixing things up" and "stirring things up"?

"Mixing things up" generally implies introducing variety, while "stirring things up" suggests creating excitement or controversy. The choice depends on the intended effect of the change.