sweep about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sweep about" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of moving or spreading in a sweeping motion around a particular area. Example: "The leaves began to sweep about in the wind, creating a beautiful dance of colors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Officials estimate that the program will sweep about 2.7 million dirty autos from the roads nationwide.

The New York Times

Ball No5: again, front foot goes slightly to leg, but there's a hint of slog sweep about this one.

The Guardian - Sport

Speak up or get out.' " While many economists were increasingly immersed in statistics, Mr. Hirschman often wrote with a storyteller's sweep about the behavior of nations, institutions and individuals.

The New York Times

There's a spaciousness and sweep about the countryside here that feels un-English.

BBC

Sherman is at his best writing with sweep about the history of cable news and placing Ailes in context.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Reading him feels like swimming in the ocean: it's freeing and pleasurable to get swept about, but there's always an underlying danger.

The New York Times - Books

Benjamin, who had begun to attack Stalin obliquely, and may have gone much further in conversation, was at the very least swept about by this maelstrom, associating with some of its key players, ranging from the Comintern agent Otto Katz to the once-loyal Communist and later impassioned renegade Arthur Koestler.

The New York Times - Arts

Newton concluded that the doctrine is in fact self-refuting and that, where Descartes needed to, he had surreptitiously helped himself to a notion of space independent of body, particularly in order to assign the desired degree of centrifugal conatus to the planets and their satellites as they are swept about by celestial vortices of "subtle" matter.

SEP

Every day, Earth sweeps up about 140 tons of cosmic dust.

Science Magazine

These results provide significant insights into the selective sweeps brought about by artificial selection during the process of crop domestication.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The Supporting Information, Video S2, shows that the range (400 890) nm is swept within about 19 s, with an average rate 26 nm s−1; the reflection coefficient increases from about 20% at 400 nm to 28% at 633 nm and then reduces to about 20% at 890 nm.

Advanced Materials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sweep about" to describe a wide-ranging movement or influence that affects a large area or group. For example, "Rumors began to sweep about the office after the announcement."

Common error

Avoid using "sweep about" in overly passive constructions, as this can weaken the impact of your writing. Instead of saying "The city was swept about by rumors", try "Rumors swept about the city."

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "sweep about" functions primarily as a descriptive element, depicting a broad or pervasive movement or influence. As noted by Ludwig AI, the examples show varied uses, such as describing the movement of leaves, the spreading of rumors, or the feeling of being moved by music.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "sweep about" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a wide-ranging movement or influence. Ludwig AI analysis of various sources shows that it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, as well as in scientific and business publications. Though it is an uncommon phrase, using "sweep about" can effectively convey a sense of pervasive action or effect. When writing, be mindful to use it in active constructions for maximum impact. Remember that related alternatives, like "spread around" and "move around", may be more appropriate depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spread around

Focuses on the dispersal of something across an area, rather than a specific sweeping motion.

move around

Emphasizes general movement within an area, lacking the directed force implied by "sweep about".

flutter around

Suggests a light, irregular motion, different from the purposeful action of "sweep about".

whirl around

Implies a rapid, circular motion, while "sweep about" can refer to a broader, linear movement.

range over

Highlights the extent of coverage or influence, shifting from physical movement to abstract scope.

reach across

Emphasizes the connection between different points or areas, losing the sense of motion inherent in "sweep about".

extend throughout

Focuses on the pervasive presence of something, rather than the act of moving or influencing.

circulate within

Suggests movement within a closed system or boundary.

cover completely

Emphasizes thoroughness and completeness, rather than movement or influence.

traverse through

Implies a journey or passage through an area, differing from the sweeping action of "sweep about".

FAQs

How can I use "sweep about" in a sentence?

You can use "sweep about" to describe something moving or spreading across an area. For example, "The wind caused dust to sweep about the deserted streets".

What does "sweep about" mean?

The phrase "sweep about" means to move or spread quickly through an area or group of people, often implying a wide-reaching influence or effect.

Are there synonyms for "sweep about"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "spread around", "move around", or "circulate within" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "sweep about" and "swept about"?

"Sweep about" is the infinitive form, while "swept about" is the past tense and past participle. Use "swept about" when describing something that has already happened: "She was "swept about" by the musical gales".