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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
narrative around
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
'narrative around' is not correct and cannot be used in written English.
To use a phrase like this in written English, you could say 'narrative surrounding.' For example, "I wrote a narrative surrounding the events of my summer vacation."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
The narrative around drones had been "sanitised", she said.
News & Media
The entire narrative around our online lives remains always punitive.
News & Media
They are angry at the English narrative around Tintagel.
News & Media
The memorial will necessarily question the official narrative around 'what to remember' and 'how to remember'.
News & Media
Often, this takes place against an unfairly negative narrative around the supposedly evil stepdad.
News & Media
It's another when you frame the entire narrative around the debt crisis we face".
News & Media
Much of the narrative around breast-feeding of late is about the "backlash".
News & Media
It creates a solid heroic narrative around an awful lot of aesthetic and spiritual information.
News & Media
Did you plan from the beginning to build the narrative around that?
News & Media
Ockham's Razor always choose their apparatus first, then build a narrative around it.
News & Media
Original sin is only a component in Augustine's bigger narrative around baptism.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "narrative surrounding" instead of "narrative around" for grammatical accuracy.
Common error
Avoid using "around" when you mean "surrounding" in formal writing. "Around" typically indicates location or proximity, while "surrounding" implies encompassing or enveloping. Therefore, opt for "narrative surrounding" to maintain grammatical correctness.
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "narrative around" functions as a prepositional phrase aiming to modify a noun by specifying the context or environment in which the narrative exists. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically incorrect. While numerous examples exist, they do not validate the phrase's correctness.
Frequent in
News & Media
55%
Science
25%
Formal & Business
20%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "narrative around" is frequently used, as shown by Ludwig's examples, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests that "narrative surrounding" is a better alternative. The phrase appears most often in news and media contexts. It's crucial to prioritize grammatical accuracy and use "narrative surrounding" in formal writing to maintain credibility. Although widely used, remember that common usage does not always equate to correctness.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
story surrounding
Substitutes "narrative" with "story" and "around" with "surrounding", keeping the core meaning intact.
narrative concerning
Replaces 'around' with 'concerning', indicating the narrative focuses on a specific subject.
discourse surrounding
Replaces 'narrative' with the more formal 'discourse' while maintaining the idea of an encompassing context.
narrative woven around
Emphasizes the construction of the narrative, highlighting its deliberate creation
conversation about
Shifts from 'narrative' to 'conversation', suggesting a discussion regarding the topic.
talk about
Simpler and more informal replacement, indicating a general discussion.
myths surrounding
Specifically refers to the myths associated with certain topic.
perception of
Focuses on the perceived understanding or view of something.
myths about
Refers to the stories about topic
ideas associated with
Highlights the related concepts and thoughts connected to a subject.
FAQs
Is it grammatically correct to use "narrative around"?
No, it is not grammatically correct. A more appropriate phrase would be "narrative surrounding."
What does "narrative surrounding" mean?
"Narrative surrounding" refers to the context, details, and related stories that encompass a particular event, person, or topic. It describes the overarching story or explanation that is associated with something.
What can I say instead of "narrative around"?
You can use alternatives like "narrative concerning", "story surrounding", or "discourse surrounding depending on the context.
How do I ensure I'm using "narrative surrounding" correctly in my writing?
Double-check that you intend to convey the idea of a story or explanation that encompasses or surrounds a subject. If you mean to indicate physical proximity or location, "around" might be appropriate in a different context, but not with "narrative".
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested