must be around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must be around" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an estimation of someone's presence or location, often implying that the person is nearby or within a certain vicinity. Example: "She must be around the corner since I can hear her voice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

"I recognise this chap; his mother must be around somewhere".

Independent

Funny, it must be around here somewhere, but I can't lay my hands on it right now.

The New York Times

SHIA LaBEOUF If the legend of the Primes is correct, then the Matrix of Leadership – the key to reviving Optimus and saving the planet – must be around here somewhere.

The Guardian - Film

Now I know I've never eaten chicken-liver patay so it must be around here somewhere, but I can't find it.

Vice

In our pursuit of certainty, we'll latch on to that number (roughly 600 days) and become convinced that when we start closing in on that date, another drawdown must be around the corner.

The New York Times

And he must be around.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

They must be dancing around in their fucking clogs".

The Guardian - Books

All must be carried around and eventually used.

The New York Times - Tech

The ones they have must be spread around like a dog's breakfast".

The New York Times

"She must be hanging around with Shaq a little too much".

The New York Times - Sports

Everyone in the car shouted, "Branchville!" The regular looked up, squinted and said, "We must be going around in circles".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must be around" to indicate an estimation of time or quantity, ensure the context provides some basis for your estimation. For example, "It must be around two-thirty" implies you have some information, even if not precise, to support the estimate.

Common error

Avoid using "must be around" when you have no real basis for your estimation. Overusing it without evidence can make your statements seem presumptive or unfounded. Instead, use qualifiers like "might be" or "could be" if you are unsure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be around" functions as an epistemic modal phrase, indicating a degree of certainty or inference about a situation or location. It is used to convey that something is likely true based on available evidence or reasoning. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must be around" is a versatile and commonly used epistemic modal phrase that expresses a degree of certainty or inference, as also confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for a broad range of communications. The phrase implies a conclusion drawn from available clues, making it useful for estimations and assumptions. While generally correct, overuse without supporting evidence can lead to misinterpretations, therefore it is important to avoid overstating certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be nearby

Replaces 'must' with 'should', indicating a slightly lower degree of certainty about the location.

likely to be present

Uses 'likely' instead of 'must', softening the assertion of presence in a location.

probably in the vicinity

Replaces 'must be' with 'probably', and 'around' with 'in the vicinity' expressing likelihood and proximity.

expected to be close

Indicates an expectation of nearness rather than a definitive assertion.

assumed to be in proximity

Emphasizes the assumption that something or someone is nearby.

ought to be close by

Uses 'ought to be' to suggest a reasonable expectation of being near.

presumed to be in the area

Expresses a presumption about being in a specific, often larger, location.

anticipated to be near

Suggests an anticipation of proximity, implying a future expectation.

believed to be in the locality

Uses 'believed' to convey a conviction about a presence in a specific, often smaller, area.

thought to be in the neighborhood

Indicates a belief that something or someone is in the general area, implying a less precise location.

FAQs

How can I use "must be around" in a sentence?

Use "must be around" to express an assumption or estimation about someone or something's location or presence. For example, "His keys must be around here somewhere", or "She must be around the office if her car is still in the parking lot".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "must be around"?

Alternatives include "should be nearby", "likely to be present", or "probably in the vicinity", each conveying a slightly different degree of certainty.

Is it always appropriate to use "must be around" when guessing a time?

While you can use "must be around" for estimating time, be mindful of the context. It implies you have some basis for your guess. If you have no idea, consider saying "it could be around" or "it might be about" instead.

What's the difference between "must be around" and "might be around"?

"Must be around" implies a stronger belief or a higher probability based on available evidence, while "might be around" suggests a possibility, but with less certainty. For example, compare "She must be around, I saw her car outside" with "She might be around, I haven't seen her today".