surrounded them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surrounded them" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a group of people or objects is encircled or enclosed by others. Example: "The soldiers surrounded them, ensuring that there was no escape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Now traffic surrounded them.

The New Yorker

Officers in riot gear surrounded them.

The New York Times

Dozens of bobbies surrounded them.

The New York Times - Style

Guests surrounded them like new puppies.

The New York Times - Magazine

Plainclothes police officers quickly surrounded them.

The New York Times

Soldiers surrounded them, but the crowds swelled anyway.

The New York Times

A group of local men quickly surrounded them.

The New York Times - Magazine

He didn't just take up topics: he surrounded them.

The New York Times - Arts

How frighteningly yellow were the faces that surrounded them!

The Guardian - Books

Soldiers had surrounded them and were tearing through their documents.

The New Yorker

Acuña police surrounded them and fired tear gas.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "surrounded them", ensure the context clearly establishes who or what is doing the surrounding. For example, "The crowd surrounded them" is more precise than "They were surrounded."

Common error

Avoid using "surrounded them" in a passive voice construction where the subject doing the surrounding is unclear. This can lead to confusion and weaken the sentence's impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surrounded them" typically functions as a verb phrase within a clause. It describes the action of encircling or enclosing a group of people or objects. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Wiki

5%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "surrounded them" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the act of encircling or enclosing a group. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its use spans various contexts, but it is most frequently found in news and media. While neutral in register, careful attention should be paid to clarity by explicitly stating who or what is doing the surrounding. Alternatives such as "encircled them" or "hemmed them in" can be considered depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encircled them

Replaces "surrounded" with a more formal synonym, "encircled".

ringed them

Uses a more descriptive verb, "ringed", to indicate encirclement.

hemmed them in

Uses a more idiomatic expression implying restriction of movement.

closed in on them

Suggests a gradual narrowing of the space around them.

mobbed them

Implies being crowded or overwhelmed by a large group.

flanked them

Implies being positioned on either side.

besieged them

Conveys a sense of being under attack or pressure.

encased them

Suggests being completely enclosed or covered.

congregated around them

Suggests a gathering of people or things in proximity.

converged on them

Conveys the sense of multiple entities moving towards a central point.

FAQs

How to use "surrounded them" in a sentence?

Use "surrounded them" to describe a situation where people or things are encircled by something else. For example, "The protesters "surrounded them", chanting slogans".

What can I say instead of "surrounded them"?

You can use alternatives like "encircled them", "hemmed them in", or "closed in on them" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "they were surrounded by them"?

While grammatically correct, "they were surrounded by them" can sound redundant. It's often clearer to rephrase the sentence to specify who or what is doing the surrounding. For example, "The enemy encircled them" is more direct.

What is the difference between "surrounded them" and "mobbed them"?

"Surrounded them" generally implies encirclement, while "mobbed them" suggests being crowded and potentially overwhelmed by a large, often disorderly, group.