scurry about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scurry about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone moving quickly and hurriedly from one place to another, often in a busy or frantic manner. Example: "As the deadline approached, the employees began to scurry about the office, trying to finish their tasks on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Children scurry about; teenagers stand with hoodies pulled tight.

The New York Times

People scurry about in gilets and fleeces, carrying walkie-talkies and tape-measures.

The Guardian

The evening of their gala dancing party, young Mabel's caring parents scurry about, mindful of including her, whenever possible, in the preparations.

The New York Times - Books

From between the feet of stomping dinosaurs, ratty animals scurry about; cue an asteroid impact and the Age of Mammals begins.

The Guardian

Hacks, politicians and spin doctors are condemned to scurry about, indulging in wanton political frottage, while the TV networks flaunt their ever expanding array of debate-related gizmos: live worms, insta-polls, giant malfunctioning touchscreens, mobile Karen Silkwood shower units.

The Guardian - Opinion

This naturally leads publishers to scurry about hastily signing up more books on terrorism and germs and Islam, many of which won't be in bookstores for a year or more.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Ducks and geese scurried about, mushrooms and vegetables grew plentifully, and eating game was commonplace.

Independent

Some of the hotel staff were scurrying about, looking obviously distressed.

The Guardian - Opinion

When Slinky was let out of his cage, he scurried about and found a dark, cluttered corner to hide in.

The New York Times

We find Roland Young anxiously scurrying about as an eligible bachelor, and Bruce Cabot is here, too, as an eligible sailor.

The New Yorker

Convoys with both equipment and technical experts took hours to organize as security consultants scurried about in the heat.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scurry about" to vividly describe quick, hurried movement, especially when portraying a scene filled with activity and perhaps slight chaos. For instance, "During the holiday season, shoppers scurry about the stores, searching for the perfect gifts."

Common error

While "scurry about" is effective, overusing it can make your writing repetitive. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "rush around" or "dash about" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scurry about" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, describing a subject's action of moving quickly and hurriedly. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and the provided examples illustrate this function across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

19%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scurry about" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that vividly describes hurried and often disorganized movement. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage. It's prevalent in news articles, academic writing, and general descriptions, conveying a sense of activity and urgency. While versatile, it’s best to reserve it for contexts where a sense of hurried movement is appropriate and vary with synonyms like "rush around" or "dash about" to avoid repetition. The provided examples from authoritative sources, such as The New York Times and The Guardian, underscore its widespread and appropriate use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hurry around

Highlights the need to move quickly to complete tasks or meet deadlines.

rush around

Implies a sense of urgency and haste in one's movements.

dash about

Suggests quick, energetic movements, often over short distances.

bustle about

Focuses on energetic and busy movement, often in a cheerful way.

hustle and bustle

Emphasizes the busyness and activity of a place or situation, rather than individual movement.

zip around

Implies rapid and efficient movement from place to place.

scramble around

Conveys a sense of disorganized haste and potential difficulty.

fly around

Suggests extremely quick and almost effortless movement.

scuttle around

Describes hurried movement, often with a sense of secrecy or fear.

tear around

Indicates reckless or uncontrolled speed in moving about.

FAQs

How can I use "scurry about" in a sentence?

You can use "scurry about" to describe people or animals moving quickly and hurriedly. For example, "The mice "scurry about" the kitchen at night" or "The staff "scurry about" to prepare for the event."

What are some alternatives to "scurry about"?

Some alternatives include "rush around", "dash about", or "hurry around". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "scurry about"?

While grammatically correct, "scurry about" might not be appropriate in formal or solemn contexts. It's best suited for situations where a sense of hurried or somewhat frantic movement is fitting.

What's the difference between "scurry about" and "move quickly"?

"Move quickly" is a general term for fast movement. "Scurry about" implies a more hurried, often disorganized, and sometimes frantic kind of quick movement. The nuance sets them apart.