race around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "race around" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone moving quickly in a chaotic or hurried manner, often in a playful or frantic context. Example: "The children began to race around the playground, laughing and chasing each other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All sorts of terrible fears race around inside you.

The New Yorker

His two enormous dogs, Tarzan and Killer, race around, flinging bones across the concrete floor.

The New York Times

Something like that can turn the race around in the blink of an eye.

The Guardian - Sport

Several wedding guests wondered if marriage might inspire Ms. Zesiger to race around less.

The New York Times - Style

But it played a major factor in turning the race around back toward Obama.

Huffington Post

Then say, "go find them!" and your dog will race around, trying to sniff out where the treats are!

WikiHow

Children delightedly race around the colourful clown.

The Guardian

I just did a 24-mile race around Manhattan".

The New York Times

I wanted to race around spreading the good news.

The New York Times

On another passing play, Freeney tried to race around McKinnie.

The New York Times - Magazine

His eyes started to race around the room.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a chaotic scene, use "race around" to effectively convey the sense of hurried and somewhat disorganized movement.

Common error

Avoid using "race around" in highly formal writing; opt for more precise verbs like 'move quickly' or 'expedite' to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "race around" primarily functions as a verb of motion, describing the act of moving quickly and often erratically. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

2%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "race around" is a common and grammatically sound phrasal verb used to describe quick, often chaotic movement or the rapid circulation of ideas. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral to informal tone. While versatile, it should be used judiciously in formal or academic settings, where more precise alternatives might be preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tear around

Implies moving with great speed and energy, often recklessly.

speed around

Focuses on the velocity of the movement, emphasizing how fast someone or something is moving.

dash around

Suggests a quick and energetic movement, often for a short duration.

rush about

Suggests a hurried and often disorganized movement, usually due to a lack of time.

dart around

Suggests quick, sudden movements from place to place.

hurry about

Implies a quicker, less structured form of moving around, often due to time constraints.

charge around

Implies moving forcefully and rapidly, often in a less controlled way.

whizz around

Suggests a fast, continuous movement in a circular or random pattern.

scurry around

Implies a rapid, light movement, often associated with small creatures or a sense of urgency.

fly around

Implies moving very quickly and effortlessly, often in a less grounded manner.

FAQs

How can I use "race around" in a sentence?

You can use "race around" to describe quick, often frantic movement. For example, "The children began to race around the playground" or "Ideas race around in my head when I'm stressed".

What are some alternatives to "race around"?

Alternatives include "dash around", "hurry about", or "tear around" depending on the context. Each suggests slightly different nuances of movement and urgency.

Is it correct to use "race around" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "race around" might be too informal for academic writing. Consider using more precise and formal alternatives like "move quickly" or "circulate rapidly".

What does "race around" imply about the movement being described?

"Race around" typically implies quick, somewhat chaotic, and often energetic movement. It suggests a lack of order or control in the movement.