show them around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "show them around" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to give someone a tour or guide them through a place or area. Example: "When my friends visited my hometown for the first time, I offered to show them around the city. We visited all the popular landmarks and tried the local cuisine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We just show them around".

The New York Times - Travel

We would show them around and prove how capable we were in the world.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I'll tell them it's right here, but they don't believe me until I show them around".

The New York Times

Most staffers cannot speak to journalists or even show them around without approval from head office in Chicago.

The Economist

"I just tried to show them around a little bit and spend some time with them," Girardi said.

The New York Times

It uses Facebook to connect friends of friends to help them find someone to host them in a foreign city, show them around or share dinner.

The New York Times - Travel

"They would take these guys who were illiterate peasants, treated terribly, poor as dirt [and] take them to the North and show them around," Boynton says.

The Guardian

It became clear that businessmen often brought their partners for trips and Alacchi realised they needed someone who knew the city well - to show them around and help them shop.

The Guardian - Travel

"But very few of my clients go to prison without a welcoming committee of people who will show them around and share their first few meals".

Forbes

The problem is, however, that it's hard for travelers to find trusted locals who can answer questions, show them around, or just help when things come up.

TechCrunch

Some mentioned that parents and relatives love to keep these images on their mobile phones and show them around, and colleagues and friends also expect them to post them on social media.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "show them around", ensure the context clearly indicates the location or subject being introduced. For example, "I'll show them around the office" is more effective than simply "I'll show them around".

Common error

Avoid ambiguous pronoun use. Instead of saying, "I'll show them around, and they'll love it," be specific: "I'll show them around the new museum, and they'll love the modern art collection."

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "show them around" functions primarily as a directive, indicating an action to guide or accompany someone in exploring a location or introducing them to a new environment. This is supported by Ludwig, confirming its active and guiding grammatical role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "show them around" is a very common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate the act of guiding or accompanying someone to familiarize them with a place or thing. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase functions primarily as a directive and serves the communicative purpose of orienting and familiarizing individuals with new environments. It maintains a neutral tone suitable for various contexts, from casual conversation to professional interactions. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Academia sources. When using "show them around", clarity is key; ensure the context makes the location or subject explicit. For a more formal setting, consider alternatives like "give them a tour" or "acquaint them with". Be aware of ambiguous pronoun usage and provide specific references to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take them around

Simple and direct way of indicating accompaniment during exploration

give them a tour

Focuses specifically on providing a guided visit.

guide them through

Emphasizes leading someone step-by-step.

lead them around

Focuses on the act of directing someone's path.

walk them through

Implies a detailed explanation while moving through a space or process

acquaint them with

Highlights introducing someone to something new.

familiarize them with

Highlights making someone comfortable with a new environment.

escort them around

Suggests a more formal or protective accompaniment.

be their guide

Shifts the focus to the role of the person providing guidance.

orient them

Emphasizes helping someone understand their location or situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "show them around" to indicate guiding someone through a place. For example: "I offered to show them around the city", or "He will show them around the factory".

What's a more formal alternative to "show them around"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "give them a tour" or "acquaint them with", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "show them around the area"?

Yes, it's perfectly correct. "Show them around the area" is a common and natural way to express guiding someone within a specific locality.

What is the difference between "take them around" and "show them around"?

While very similar, "show them around" implies a more informative tour, while "take them around" simply suggests accompanying them to different places.