skipping about

USAGE SUMMARY

"skipping about" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe someone or something moving in a lively and carefree manner. For example, "The children were skipping about the playground, full of laughter and joy".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"Forty-one and still skipping about like a 12-year-old girl".

The Guardian

But it's a red herring, as it quickly settles into a lovely, mid-paced jangle, which, though not exactly skipping about, has a certain lightness of touch that even makes the lyric "You know I'm hopeless, oh no, no you're wrong, it's not the singer it's the song" sound almost jubilant.

The Guardian - Music

As Claydon watched Jessie at break and lunchtime skipping about with friends, she felt proud at the mature way the children took it on board.

The Guardian

But soon she's caving in to Von Housen's charm and blandishments, skipping about the castle, complete with its secret passageways, with a feather duster.

The Guardian

He performed with Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet (now Birmingham Royal Ballet) for seven years, but never felt at home as a ballet dancer (skipping about in pink knickerbockers was a particular low point).

The Guardian

"We were kind of skipping about the section trying not to grin from ear to ear, thinking this was it, and any minute it was going to go to full-blown labour," she said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Children wearing their "good" clothes proudly skipped about.

The New York Times

A girl dressed as a rabbit cries a bit, a man with wooden aeroplane wings stitched to his suit skips about, a giant man with no head solemnly parades around holding an umbrella.

Independent

The bite of L. tarentula was once thought to cause a disease known as tarantism, in which the victim wept and skipped about before going into a wild dance (see tarantella).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Finkelman's music, which skipped about stylistically throughout the dance, was Indonesian-sounding here; it was a light counterpart to their grappling, and took the passage out of the literal and into the abstract: a recognition of imperfection, and the grudging acceptance of it.

The New Yorker

Most skipped about within the history of the practice and across clinical areas, making connections and identifying key events or turning points in the way chronic illness care developed.

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "skipping about" to vividly depict lighthearted, energetic movement, especially in narrative or descriptive contexts. It is suitable for conveying a sense of joy, freedom, or playfulness.

Common error

Avoid using "skipping about" in formal or professional writing, as its informal tone can undermine the seriousness of the subject matter. Opt for more neutral or formal alternatives like "moving" or "proceeding" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "skipping about" primarily functions as a compound verb, modifying a subject by describing a specific type of movement. As confirmed by Ludwig, this is a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "skipping about" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that vividly describes lighthearted and energetic movement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys a sense of joy and freedom. While primarily found in News & Media and Wiki contexts, it is crucial to avoid its overuse in formal writing. For similar expressions, consider "frolicking around" or "bounding around". Be mindful of context and tone to ensure accurate and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frolicking around

Emphasizes playful and joyful movement.

bounding around

Suggests energetic and enthusiastic movement.

gamboling around

Implies carefree and joyful leaping.

prancing about

Suggests a lively and spirited manner of moving.

capering around

Highlights playful skipping and dancing.

dodging around

Indicates evasive movement to avoid something.

flitting about

Suggests quick and light movement from place to place.

darting about

Emphasizes rapid and sudden movements.

meandering around

Indicates a winding and leisurely movement.

roaming around

Implies wandering without a specific destination.

FAQs

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

You can use "skipping about" to describe someone or something moving in a lighthearted way, for example: "The children were "skipping about" in the park."

What are some alternatives to "skipping about"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "frolicking around", "bounding around", or "darting about".

Is "skipping about" appropriate for formal writing?

Generally, "skipping about" is more suitable for informal or descriptive writing. For formal contexts, consider more neutral terms like "moving" or "proceeding".

What does it mean to say someone is "skipping about"?

When someone is described as ""skipping about"", it suggests they are moving in a light, playful, and energetic manner, often indicating happiness or carefree behavior.