show around

USAGE SUMMARY

"show around" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It usually refers to introducing someone to a place, person, or thing that they are unfamiliar with. For example, "My neighbor offered to show me around the city since I'm new to town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

GALLERY ONE MAIN "Miniatures Plus: The Greatest Little Art Show Around". Through Dec. 31.

The New York Times

And no pressure to be genius … Looking is the only gay show around, after all.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They take their show around the country.

The New York Times

Ms. Bourgeois curated the show around two main concepts.

The New York Times - Arts

Eventually, Cronin told me, he "wrote enough to show around.

The New York Times - Magazine

Every year, the circus customizes its show around a theme.

The New York Times

It's too bad that the show around him isn't better.

The New York Times

A homeless man took one to show around.

The New York Times - Magazine

The black cloud over ABC started to show around 2000.

The New York Times - Arts

But these moments, like the show around them, were just another tease.

The New York Times - Arts

Polls show around 60% of Le Pen's voters would go to Sarkozy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "show around" when you are introducing someone to a place, person, or thing they are unfamiliar with. It suggests a personal touch in the introduction.

Common error

Avoid using "show around" when you simply mean to demonstrate something. "Show around" implies a guided introduction, not just a display.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "show around" is that of a phrasal verb. It combines the verb "show" with the particle "around" to create a distinct meaning related to guiding or introducing someone to a place or thing. As Ludwig AI underlines, it is correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "show around" functions as a phrasal verb used to describe the act of guiding someone to become familiar with a place or concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it commonly appears in news, wiki and encyclopedic contexts. While not extremely frequent, "show around" is a useful phrase for conveying the idea of a personal introduction or tour, with alternatives such as "give a tour of" or "guide" offering similar meanings with slight variations in formality or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give a tour of

Similar to "take on a tour", but emphasizes the act of providing the tour.

take on a tour

Implies a more formal and structured exploration of a place, often with a guide.

guide

This is a more general term for leading someone, lacking the specific implication of familiarizing them with the surroundings.

acquaint

This term focuses on making someone familiar with something, but does not necessarily involve a physical tour.

familiarize with

Emphasizes the process of making someone knowledgeable about something, not necessarily a place.

lead around

Implies a physical leading, but not necessarily with the intent of showing or explaining.

walk through

Focuses on the physical act of moving through a space, often to explain its features.

escort

Suggests a more formal or protective leading of someone, often for safety or security.

introduce to

A broader term that can refer to people, places, or concepts, without the specific connotation of a tour.

show the ropes

This idiom means to teach someone how to do something, typically a job or task, rather than a physical space.

FAQs

What does "show around" mean?

"Show around" means to guide someone and introduce them to a place, person, or thing that is new to them. It implies providing a tour or orientation.

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

You can say, "I'd be happy to show you around the office" or "She offered to show me around the city since I'm new here".

What is a more formal alternative to "show around"?

More formal alternatives include "give a tour of" or "conduct a tour of", which are suitable for professional settings.

Is it correct to say "show around to"?

No, the correct phrasing is simply "show around". The preposition "to" is not necessary and makes the phrase grammatically incorrect.