somewhere around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhere around" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to indicate a general idea about something without specifying an exact location or amount. For example: "I think the price for the item was somewhere around $200."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Somewhere around 68, 69 degrees is the optimum learning environment.

The New York Times

Somewhere around there anyway.

The New York Times

It was somewhere around hyena.

The New Yorker

It's somewhere around $2,700.

The New York Times - Magazine

My N.B.A. skills are still somewhere around.

The New York Times

I got bogged down somewhere around Luxembourg.

The New Yorker

I'm guessing somewhere around 1994.

The Guardian - Music

He guesses it's somewhere around $22.

The Guardian - Money

It all totalled somewhere around $500.

The Guardian - Opinion

Somewhere around 1955, he left for Europe.

The Guardian - Film

I was somewhere around number 50.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "somewhere around" when you want to provide an estimate and avoid being too precise. It adds a touch of informality to your writing.

Common error

Avoid stacking too many vague approximations in a single sentence. While "somewhere around" is acceptable, combining it with other imprecise terms can make your writing sound unclear and unprofessional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhere around" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or verb. It serves to qualify or limit the accuracy of a statement, indicating that the information is an approximation rather than an exact figure or location. According to Ludwig, this is a correct use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Wiki

11%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "somewhere around" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate an approximate value, time, or location. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts. While its register is generally neutral to informal, it's crucial to consider your audience and purpose, opting for more precise language in formal or technical settings. By understanding its function and communicative purpose, you can effectively incorporate "somewhere around" into your writing to convey estimations and avoid unnecessary precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

about

A simpler, single-word preposition to indicate approximation.

close to

Implies nearness to a specific value or location.

approximately

Indicates an estimate, but is a single word adverb rather than a prepositional phrase.

nearly

Suggests that something is only slightly less than or different from a specified value.

roughly

Indicates an approximate amount or time; a single-word adverb.

in the vicinity of

Refers more directly to a spatial location, while "somewhere around" can refer to time, amount, or location.

in the neighborhood of

Similar to 'in the vicinity of', emphasizing an approximate range.

in the ballpark of

Suggests a general approximation, often used for numerical values.

more or less

Indicates a general agreement or similarity, allowing for minor discrepancies.

give or take

Indicates that a number is approximate and could be slightly higher or lower.

FAQs

How do I use "somewhere around" in a sentence?

Use "somewhere around" to indicate an approximate value, time, or location. For example, "The cost will be somewhere around $500" or "The event starts somewhere around 7 PM".

What phrases can I use instead of "somewhere around"?

You can use alternatives like "approximately", "about", or "in the vicinity of" depending on the context.

Is it acceptable to use "somewhere around" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "somewhere around" leans towards the informal side. For formal writing, consider using more precise language or alternatives like "approximately" or "in the range of".

What's the difference between "somewhere around" and "approximately"?

"Somewhere around" is a phrase that suggests an estimation, whereas "approximately" is an adverb with the same meaning. "Somewhere around" adds a more conversational tone.