surrounding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surrounding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is encircling or enclosing another object or area, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "The surrounding mountains provided a stunning backdrop for the village."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Hacking is one of the most intrusive surveillance capabilities available to any intelligence agency, and its use and safeguards surrounding it should be the subject of proper debate.

The Guardian

The Sudan People's Liberation Army SPLAA) was surrounding our camp for protection since Sudan was mediating the peace talks.

The Guardian

Thanks in part to the publicity surrounding the Rana Plaza disaster, we can at least imagine the men and women who sew them.

The Guardian - Opinion

While a new airport has opened 60km from the city, Golden City remains unbuilt with long walls surrounding the land.

The Guardian

No one could have predicted this when the former Cardiff manager was recruited, even if the nonsense surrounding Whelan's defence of the FA charges his new manager was facing did not get the partnership off to the best possible start.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a major challenge given obstacles surrounding oxygen and nutrient supply to the tissue.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There continue to be issues surrounding the cost and availability of school uniforms.

The Guardian

But we can and will rebuild | Tristram Hunt Miliband, who quit as an MP when his brother beat him to the Labour leadership in 2010, said he would not be returning to British politics for now, but hinted he might be more involved in discussions about the future of Labour now that he is finally free of the soap opera surrounding him and his brother.

The Guardian

Tigmi, 15 miles from the city, is a peaceful complex of tastefully converted village houses surrounding courtyards.

The Guardian - Travel

He had roughly the same effect on the room that black holes are said to have on their surrounding star fields.

The Guardian - Film

The struggle between Catholics and Protestants, and the national and international intrigue surrounding the French throne in the early 17th century, are the terrain for one of the most famous adventure stories ever written.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing environments, use "surrounding" to paint a vivid picture of the immediate context, enhancing the reader's understanding and immersion. For example: "The "surrounding" forest was dense and silent."

Common error

Don't just state that something is "surrounding". Specify what is doing the surrounding and its effect on the subject. For instance, instead of saying "the area was surrounding", describe it as "the "surrounding" mountains provided a natural barrier".

Linguistic Context

The term "surrounding" functions primarily as a participle adjective, modifying nouns to describe what encircles or is in proximity to something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Travel

2%

Sport

1%

Less common in

Lifestyle

1%

Books

0.5%

Opinion

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "surrounding" is a versatile term frequently employed as a participle adjective to provide descriptive context, detailing the environment or circumstances around a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, highlighting its common use across diverse sources like news, media, and travel. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, clarity is key – specify what is doing the surrounding to enhance understanding. Alternatives include "encircling" and "nearby", depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encircling

Focuses on the act of forming a circle around something.

enclosing

Highlights the act of closing in or encompassing.

environs

Refers specifically to the area immediately surrounding a place.

bordering

Focuses on sharing a boundary with something.

circumjacent

A more formal term for lying around or on all sides.

adjacent

Indicates nearness or contiguity without necessarily implying full encirclement.

in the vicinity of

Indicates being close to something without physical contact.

nearby

Emphasizes proximity to a location.

in the neighborhood of

Suggests being in the general area.

outlying

Describes areas situated at a distance from the center.

FAQs

How can I use "surrounding" in a sentence?

You can use "surrounding" to describe the environment or context around something, as in "The "surrounding" landscape was breathtaking" or "The controversy "surrounding" the event led to its cancellation".

What are some alternatives to the word "surrounding"?

Depending on the context, you could use "encircling", "enclosing", or "nearby" as alternatives to "surrounding".

Is it correct to say "the surrounding area"?

Yes, "surrounding area" is a correct and commonly used phrase to refer to the region immediately around a specific location.

What is the difference between "surrounding" and "surrounded"?

"Surrounding" describes something that is presently encircling or existing around something else, while "surrounded" indicates a state of being enclosed or encircled. For example, "the "surrounding" trees provided shade" versus "the house was "surrounded by" trees".