someone is around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "someone is around" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a person is nearby or present in a particular location. Example: "I can’t talk right now because someone is around, and I don’t want them to overhear our conversation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

(This can be tricky -- if someone is around to help, enlist him).

The New York Times - Magazine

The past isn't irredeemable so long as someone is around to learn from it.

The New Yorker

(This can be tricky – if someone is around, enlist them to help. Place a ring of wax paper on top of the cake so you have something to grab on to when turning it out).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"There can be lightning in a bottle here, and when there is, generally someone is around to notice it," said Bobby Haber, the chief executive of CMJ Network, which oversees the festival and the trade publication it's named for.

The New York Times - Arts

"It only informs you when someone is around.

TechCrunch

Vaccari tells me "the idea is to make it really easy to discover when someone is around you, and meet up and spend time together".

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

I wouldn't discuss what I'm writing with my cat if someone were around".

The New York Times

Thank God someone was around to give the entire world a common sense check: "Cyrus's haircut is just that: a haircut.

The Guardian

Fitzgerald died in December, 1940, and it's strange to think that until last month someone was around who had cooked and typed for him, run his errands, and cleaned up his messes.

The New Yorker

Certainly as a player, as a man and someone being around the squad, we are going to miss him".

BBC

(Someone who is around for 11 months will still use plenty of local services, councils point out).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "someone is around", consider the context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended meaning, such as mere presence, availability for help, or potential for being overheard. If you mean to say that person is in charge of something, then this phrase is not correct.

Common error

Avoid using "someone is around" in highly formal writing where a more precise or professional term like "someone is present" or "staff is available" would be more appropriate. Remember that it can be used in formal contexts as well, but depending on the context a formal register could be a better choice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "someone is around" functions primarily as a statement of presence. Ludwig indicates it is a grammatically sound and usable phrase to denote that an individual is located in the vicinity or is present.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

32%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "someone is around" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate the presence of a person. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly news, media and general discussions. While the phrase is generally acceptable, it is recommended to consider the level of formality required by the context. In more formal settings, alternatives like "someone is present" or more specific descriptions might be more appropriate. The phrase's prevalence across diverse sources underscores its versatility and general understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

someone is present

Replaces "around" with "present", directly indicating someone's physical existence in a location.

someone is nearby

Focuses on the proximity of a person rather than their general presence.

there's someone present

Shifts the sentence structure while retaining the core meaning of presence.

someone is in attendance

Implies a more formal setting or event where someone is participating.

someone is in the vicinity

Similar to "nearby" but often implies a slightly larger or less defined area.

someone is available

Highlights the person's readiness and capacity to engage or assist.

someone is on hand

Suggests someone is available and ready to assist or intervene if needed.

someone is accessible

Indicates that a person is available to be contacted or reached.

there's someone about

A more colloquial way of saying that someone is in the general area. It's British slang and might not be common in other regions.

someone is within reach

Implies someone is close enough to interact with or get help from.

FAQs

How can I use "someone is around" in a sentence?

You can use "someone is around" to indicate that a person is nearby or present in a particular location. For example, "I can’t talk right now because someone is around, and I don’t want them to overhear our conversation."

Which is correct, "someone is around" or "someone is present"?

Both "someone is around" and "someone is present" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Someone is around" is more informal and suggests general presence, while "someone is present" is more formal and emphasizes their existence in a specific location. Choose the one that best fits your context.

What can I say instead of "someone is around" to indicate availability?

If you want to emphasize availability, you can use alternatives like "someone is available", "someone is on hand", or "someone is accessible". These options highlight their readiness and capacity to help or engage.

Is "someone is around" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "someone is around" might be considered too informal for highly formal writing. In such cases, consider more formal alternatives like "someone is present" or describe the role, like "a staff member is available".