things around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'things around' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer generally to various items or objects in a location. For example, "I noticed a lot of interesting things around the house when I was cleaning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We changed things around".

The New York Times - Arts

"And you can turn things around quickly".

The New York Times - Sports

Can the Wolverines turn things around?

The New York Times

But can he turn things around?

The Economist

How did the team turn things around?

The New York Times

Can the Cowboys turn things around?

The New York Times

When will Inter turn things around?

The New York Times

Can he turn things around?

The Guardian - Sport

Would this turn things around?

The New York Times

How to turn things around?

Forbes

How about turning things around?

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "things around" to broadly refer to unspecified items or elements in a given space or context. It's most effective when the specific items are either obvious or unimportant to the main point.

Common error

Avoid using "things around" in formal or academic writing where more precise language is expected. Opt for specific nouns or descriptive phrases to enhance clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things around" functions as a general referent to unspecified objects or elements in a given environment or context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. Examples range from simple observations to more complex contextual descriptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

28%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "things around" is a versatile phrase used to refer generally to the objects or circumstances in a particular setting. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. While frequently found in news and media, its suitability may vary in more formal contexts where specific language is preferred. When using "things around", consider the level of detail required and whether a more precise description would enhance clarity. The phrase is best employed when the specific items are either obvious or unimportant to the primary message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediate surroundings

Stresses the area directly next to a subject or location, implying spatial proximity.

surrounding objects

Focuses specifically on physical objects in the immediate vicinity, implying a narrower scope than "things around".

nearby items

Similar to 'surrounding objects' but with an emphasis on portability or individual pieces.

things in proximity

A more formal way of expressing nearby items or objects, often used in scientific or technical contexts.

adjacent elements

More formal, suitable for technical or descriptive contexts, referring to items that are next to each other.

vicinity features

Highlights notable characteristics or aspects of the nearby area, suitable for geographical descriptions.

local circumstances

Shifts the focus from objects to the broader environment and conditions.

ambient conditions

Emphasizes environmental factors like temperature, lighting, or atmosphere, rather than discrete objects.

environmental factors

Focuses on elements that influence the environment like pollution or resources, rather than general objects.

present conditions

Highlights the current state or circumstances, rather than tangible objects.

FAQs

How can I use "things around" in a sentence?

You can use "things around" to refer to the objects or environment in a general way. For instance, "She noticed interesting "objects around" the room" or "He tried to focus on the "environment around" him."

What are some alternatives to "things around"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "surroundings", "nearby items", "adjacent elements", or "local circumstances".

Is it appropriate to use "things around" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "things around" might be too vague for formal writing. More precise language, such as "surrounding objects" or a specific description of the items, would be more suitable.

How does "things around" differ from "the things around"?

Adding "the" can provide more specificity, implying a particular set of items already known or under discussion. Without "the", "things around" is more general and indefinite.