surrounding reality

USAGE SUMMARY

"surrounding reality" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe the environment, circumstances, or conditions that are present or exist around someone or something. It can also refer to the perceived or objective state of the world and events, as opposed to something imagined or hoped for. Example: The protagonist of the novel was struggling to come to terms with the harshness of the surrounding reality, as poverty and violence were rampant in the city they lived in.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

A prevailing sense of being disenfranchised, frustration with the established political classes and exhaustion with economic woes all feed the notion that very little can be done about the surrounding reality – except radical revolt.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ms. Roberts and Mr. Underwood play two movie stars who star in a movie within a movie, which is shot on film in contrast to the grainy digital video that records the surrounding reality.

The New York Times

Ms. Roberts and Mr. Underwood play two movie stars who appear in a movie within a movie, which is shot on film in contrast to the grainy digital video that records the surrounding reality.

The New York Times

It's the year 19, young men are press-ganged and downloaded into ironclads fighting a distant war, and the citizenry suffer collective amnesia, which doesn't allow them to question the surrounding reality.

The Guardian - Books

Educators, peers, family, and toddlers' interactive experiences, may also involve strong and diverse feelings connected to their surrounding reality.

Video Journal of Education and Pedagogy

"Being short-sighted, he escaped into a world where the printed word was more significant than his surrounding reality," says Yates.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

For some analysts, "Pokémon Go" is validation of what they've been saying all along: That despite the hype surrounding virtual reality and its buzzed-about gadgets such as Oculus Rift and Samsung Gear VR, augmented reality, or AR, will play a much bigger role in our lives.

Los Angeles Times

For some analysts, "Pokémon Go" is validation of what they've been saying all along: That despite the hype surrounding virtual reality and its buzzed-about gadgets such as Oculus Rift and Samsung Gear VR, augmented reality, or AR, will play a much bigger role in our lives.

Los Angeles Times

But the lows can be lower, too, as Fox learned from the fiasco surrounding a reality special in February, "Who Wants to Marry a Multimillionaire?" "God knows they're lower," Mr. Nesvig said, laughing.

The New York Times

The "pop culture" surrounding police reality shows; the federal fiscal coercion that results in a police arms race fueled by a "keeping up with the Joneses" mentality; the change in attitude towards meeting the needs of our constituents.

HuffPost

"I'd started to see that Shakespearean language was free largely because it was creating the reality surrounding the character — the reality of the character's psyche — not so much expressing what already existed," Rabe wrote in an e-mail.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "surrounding reality" to emphasize the objective conditions impacting a subject, contrasting it with internal perceptions or desires.

Common error

Do not use "surrounding reality" when "reality" alone suffices. The adjective should add meaningful context, not merely repeat the noun's inherent quality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surrounding reality" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It typically identifies the external conditions or environment that influence an event or entity. As per Ludwig, the phrase is deemed correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "surrounding reality" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase that describes the external environment, conditions, or circumstances affecting a person, object, or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples across various sources. While it's not as frequent as other similar phrases, it offers a specific nuance that emphasizes the impact of the external world. It is used primarily in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When writing, ensure it adds meaningful context rather than merely restating what's already implied. Consider alternatives like "immediate environment" or "prevailing circumstances" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adjacent reality

This alternative highlights the closeness and contiguity of the reality being referenced.

immediate environment

Focuses on the physical or immediate surroundings.

present setting

Highlights the current place and time.

prevailing circumstances

Highlights the conditions or facts affecting a situation.

current climate

Focuses on the prevailing atmosphere or mood.

ambient conditions

Emphasizes the surrounding atmospheric or environmental factors.

surrounding milieu

Uses a more sophisticated term for environment or setting.

extant situation

Refers to the current or existing state of affairs.

existing framework

Emphasizes the current structure or system.

external world

Broader term encompassing everything outside oneself.

FAQs

How can I use "surrounding reality" in a sentence?

You can use "surrounding reality" to describe the environment, circumstances, or conditions that are present around someone or something. For example, "The harshness of the surrounding reality made it difficult to maintain hope".

What phrases are similar to "surrounding reality"?

Alternatives include "immediate environment", "prevailing circumstances", or "external world", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "the reality" or "the surrounding reality"?

It depends on the context. Use "surrounding reality" when you want to emphasize the external conditions affecting a person or situation. Otherwise, "the reality" is often sufficient.

How does "surrounding reality" differ from "virtual reality"?

"Surrounding reality" refers to the actual, existing environment, whereas "virtual reality" refers to a computer-generated simulation of a reality.