nobody was around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nobody was around" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there were no people present in a particular location or situation. Example: "When I arrived at the park, I was surprised to find that nobody was around."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Nobody was around and the neighborhood was not very safe.

The New York Times

"The bomb simply went off when nobody was around".

The New York Times

"But I really had to shoot because nobody was around".

The New York Times - Sports

Jeremijenko had permission to enter, but nobody was around to challenge us anyway.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Nobody was around," Rodriguez said of playing in a near-empty stadium.

The New York Times - Sports

If I talked when nobody was around, it was to Klas.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Nobody is around," he says.

The Guardian - Sport

When nobody's around, kipple reproduces itself.

The New York Times

Now, if a sniper fires a gun in the woods and nobody is around, does Hillary Clinton still hear it?

The New York Times

Zeitlinger explained, "When making a film, Werner tries to pretend as if nobody is around but him and the actors".

The New Yorker

I was like: I can't get a meal round here, I'm sitting in this big house by myself, nobody is around, this is crazy!

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a setting in a story, use "nobody was around" to create a sense of isolation or mystery.

Common error

While grammatically correct, relying too heavily on passive constructions like "nobody was around" can make your writing sound less direct. Consider rewriting sentences to highlight the subject or action for a more engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nobody was around" functions as an existential clause, indicating the absence of people in a specific location or context. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It asserts the non-existence of individuals within a defined space or time frame.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

31%

Formal & Business

27%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nobody was around" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote the absence of people in a certain place or situation. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, and examples from reliable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian demonstrate its usage across different contexts, including news, personal stories, and formal documents. While not extremely frequent, the phrase serves the purpose of informing, describing, or setting a scene where human presence is lacking. Related phrases like "no one was present" and "the place was deserted" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no one was present

More formal and direct, emphasizing the lack of any individuals.

there was no one there

Simple and straightforward, focusing on the emptiness of a location.

not a soul was present

Emphasizes the complete absence of anyone, adding a touch of dramatic flair.

the area was empty

Directly describes the lack of occupants in a specific area.

the place was deserted

Focuses on the emptiness of the location itself, implying abandonment.

there wasn't a person in sight

Highlights the inability to see anyone, suggesting a vast or open space.

no individuals were present

Very formal and precise, suitable for official reports or legal documents.

the scene was devoid of people

Emphasizes the lack of people as a defining characteristic of the scene.

the location was unoccupied

Formal and neutral, simply stating that no one was using the location.

it was completely uninhabited

Suggests the area is normally inhabited but was empty at that moment.

FAQs

What does "nobody was around" mean?

The phrase "nobody was around" means that there were no people present in a specific location or during a particular situation.

What can I say instead of "nobody was around"?

You can use alternatives like "no one was present", "there was no one there", or "the place was deserted" depending on the context.

Is "nobody was around" grammatically correct?

Yes, "nobody was around" is grammatically correct and commonly used in standard English.

How can I use "nobody was around" in a sentence?

You can use "nobody was around" to describe a time or place where there were no people, such as: "I went to the beach, but "no one was present"."