things that surround us

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things that surround us" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to the people, objects, or environment that are nearby and which have a direct influence on us. For example, "We need to be mindful of the things that surround us and how our actions affect them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"Think of the things that surround us -- e-mail and computers and mobile phones," she said.

The New York Times

"If an author can no longer mention the things that surround us, a brand of beer, a monument, an actor… it's going to be complicated to produce fiction".

Independent

They do so, not by being dramatic, but by making subtle differences to the way we think and behave and to the things that surround us.

The New York Times - Arts

"The things that surround us in childhood need no justification, they are self-evident," he wrote in "Native Realm," a memoir.

The New Yorker

Liardet is a masterful observer of the telling minutiae of life, from gestures and speech to the familiar things that surround us and from which we draw meaning.

The Guardian - Books

As Scott Moncrieff's translation has it: Perhaps the immobility of the things that surround us is forced upon them by our conviction that they are themselves, and not anything else, by the immobility of our conception of them.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

However, today I just want to take a few minutes and share the pretty, colourful things that surrounds us everyday.

HuffPost

"Nostalgia plays a big role in both of our lives and our memories growing up with the things that surrounded us.

Los Angeles Times

Every single thing that surrounds us, that we use daily, that we worship or neglect... every thing has layers and layers of stories to tell.

HuffPost

The new film will be released on August 15, 2008 and may cause a ripple in the Energy, a force-like thing that surrounds us all thanks to the power of the Mitocatians.

TechCrunch

If you think about what we do on a computer most of the time click yes, no, cancel it's these very repetitive tasks, not a lot of personality, and we try to bring a kind of human-ness to this thing that surrounds us and create situations where people can express themselves and become performers.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "things that surround us", consider the specific context to ensure clarity; specify whether you are referring to physical objects, social influences, or abstract concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "things that surround us" when a more specific term would provide greater clarity and impact. For instance, instead of broadly referencing surroundings, mention specific elements like "cultural norms" or "economic factors" if they are relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things that surround us" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct. Examples in Ludwig show the phrase referring to tangible objects, abstract influences, or general environments.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "things that surround us" is grammatically correct and serves to denote the immediate environment and its influences. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. While versatile, clarity is key, and specificity may enhance impact. Found most commonly in news and academic contexts, the phrase carries a neutral to formal register. Remember to consider the specific context when employing this phrase, opting for more precise terms when possible to improve clarity and effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediate surroundings

Highlights the area immediately around someone or something.

our environment

Highlights the impact of our environment

the world around us

Focuses on the broader environment affecting us.

elements in our vicinity

Focuses on the proximity of the elements.

environmental influences

Highlights the impact of the environment.

the things we are exposed to

Highlights the impact of the things we are exposed to

nearby objects

Emphasizes the physical objects in proximity.

external factors

Refers to the external factors that surrounds someone or something.

ambient conditions

Refers to the surrounding conditions.

the context we are in

Focuses on the environment or setting related to an event

FAQs

How can I use "things that surround us" in a sentence?

You can use "things that surround us" to refer to the environment, objects, or influences that are immediately present. For example, "We should be mindful of the "things that surround us" and their impact on our well-being."

What is a good alternative to "things that surround us"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "things that surround us" include "immediate surroundings", "our environment", or "elements in our vicinity".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "things that surround us"?

It's appropriate to use "things that surround us" in discussions about environmental impact, personal well-being, or the influence of immediate surroundings on behavior or decisions. The phrase is versatile but can sometimes benefit from being more specific.

What is the difference between "things that surround us" and "the world around us"?

While both phrases refer to the environment, "things that surround us" typically implies a more immediate and direct influence, whereas "the world around us" often encompasses a broader, more general environment.