mulling around

USAGE SUMMARY

"mulling around" is an idiom that is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to aimless or idle wandering. For example, "I spent the morning mulling around the shops downtown."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

He is confident that other candidates are mulling around, with a similar time frame.

The Washington Post

When mulling around for a business he could start, Day thought: "This is something that people would be interested in but didn't know much about".

Forbes

I nervously observed a flow of people who were either just anxiously mulling around or walking quickly, all in the same direction.

Huffington Post

"Hi, I'm Cameron Carpenter," he said, as he walked around and shook hands with audience members mulling around in the packed house that had come to hear what they believed would be a bunch of his trademark classical transcriptions.

Huffington Post

After some mulling around and dabbling in other pursuits (the Infographic) it made sense to me.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Lots of people mulling around and drinking free coffee that tastes like poo.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Others mulled around and sipped rosé until their appetites piqued.

The Washington Post

AFP officers mull around without anything really to do.

Vice

The next day people, as they heard about it in all parts of the city, they began to mull around and gather and talk.

Cornell University

It turned out to be a false alarm, but the reaction was telling: customers ambled out slowly and mulled around the entrance smoking cigarettes.

The Economist

Near the starting line, the Speed Sisters – along with the 40-odd Palestinian and Jordanian drivers – mulled around their suped-up Fiats, Datsuns and Peugeots.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mulling around" when you want to convey a sense of aimless or leisurely movement in a specific area. It's effective for setting a relaxed or casual tone.

Common error

While acceptable in general writing, "mulling around" might be too informal for academic papers or business reports. Choose more precise verbs like "considering" or "exploring" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "mulling around" is as a phrasal verb, acting as the main verb in a sentence or clause to describe a state of aimless activity or wandering. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mulling around" is a phrasal verb indicating aimless wandering or leisurely browsing. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically sound and suitable for neutral to informal contexts. While common in News & Media and Academia, it's less appropriate for formal writing. To enhance clarity in formal settings, consider alternatives like "wandering aimlessly" or "browsing casually". This ensures both accuracy and appropriateness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wandering aimlessly

Focuses on the lack of a specific destination or purpose.

browsing casually

Emphasizes a relaxed and unhurried exploration.

loitering idly

Suggests lingering without any particular activity.

sauntering about

Implies a leisurely and unhurried walk.

strolling leisurely

Highlights the relaxed and enjoyable nature of the walk.

hanging around

Focuses on staying in a place without a specific purpose.

lingering nearby

Suggests remaining in close proximity without actively engaging.

knocking about

Suggests moving from one place to another without apparent purpose.

flitting about

Implies quick and restless movement from place to place.

drifting around

Emphasizes a lack of direction or control in movement.

FAQs

What does "mulling around" mean?

The phrase "mulling around" generally means to wander or move about aimlessly, often while thinking or considering something.

Is "mulling around" formal or informal?

It's generally considered an informal phrase, best suited for casual conversation or writing. More formal contexts may require alternatives.

What can I say instead of "mulling around"?

You can use alternatives like "wandering aimlessly", "browsing casually", or "lingering nearby" depending on the context.

How to use "mulling around" in a sentence?

Example: "After the conference, attendees were "mulling around" the lobby, discussing the presentations."