to encircle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to encircle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the action of surrounding or forming a circle around something or someone. Example: "The children decided to encircle the tree for their group photo."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The second was to encircle the cities.

The Economist

& Peking are teaming up to "encircle" the Soviet Union.

The New Yorker

Rising waters were threatening to encircle them — which later happened.

The Washington Post

Its planned route veers deep into the West Bank, in order to encircle settlements.

The New Yorker

It sees the rebalance as an attempt to encircle China and counter its rise.

The Economist

His conclusion: "The Chinese plan to encircle India with its proxies is near completion".

The Economist

Pillar-carpets, woven to encircle pillars, are a distinctively Chinese type.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Other insurgent units were moving into position to encircle the capital, Kabul.

The New York Times

Once again tanks and troops were dispatched to encircle Mr. Arafat's compound in Ramallah.

The New York Times

Earthquakes always seem to encircle Tokyo, never striking the capital directly.

The New Yorker

Gov. Ted Strickland, who endorsed Mrs. Clinton, advised her to encircle the cities.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to encircle" when you want to convey the idea of forming a distinct boundary or barrier around something, whether physically or figuratively. For example, "The strategy was to encircle the city, cutting off all supply lines."

Common error

Avoid using "to encircle" in situations where the idea of surrounding is not literal or clearly implied. Instead of saying "to encircle an idea", consider more appropriate alternatives like "to encompass" or "to explore."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to encircle" primarily functions as an infinitive verb phrase. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct, frequently used to describe the action of surrounding something. Examples provided by Ludwig illustrate its function across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to encircle" is a grammatically sound and frequently used infinitive verb phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI. It commonly appears in news, encyclopedias, and scientific sources, conveying the act of surrounding something, often with strategic intent. While versatile, it is most effectively used when the imagery of surrounding is literal or clearly implied. Alternatives such as "to surround" or "to encompass" may be more suitable in certain contexts. Its prevalence and authoritative sources make it a reliable choice for expressing encirclement in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to ring

Indicates forming a ring around something, a more direct synonym for encircling.

to surround

Focuses on being around something completely, similar to encircling but without necessarily forming a circle.

to enclose

Similar to surround, but more about creating a contained space.

to encompass

Implies including or covering comprehensively, which can involve a physical surrounding.

to close in on

Implies approaching from all sides to surround something, often threateningly.

to gird

Suggests encircling, often for protection or support.

to envelop

Suggests completely covering or surrounding, often figuratively.

to hem in

Conveys a sense of restricting movement by surrounding.

to circumscribe

Emphasizes defining limits or boundaries by encircling.

to beset

Focuses on troubles or attacks coming from all around, a figurative form of encircling.

FAQs

How can I use "to encircle" in a sentence?

The phrase "to encircle" is used to describe the act of surrounding something or someone. For example: "The army planned "to encircle" the enemy forces."

What are some alternatives to "to encircle"?

Some alternatives to "to encircle" include "to surround", "to encompass", or "to ring", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "to encircle" in a figurative sense?

Yes, "to encircle" can be used figuratively to describe surrounding something abstract, like a problem or idea. However, ensure the imagery of surrounding is still relevant and understandable in the context.

What's the difference between "to encircle" and "to surround"?

"To encircle" specifically implies forming a circle around something, while "to surround" simply means to be around something on all sides, without necessarily forming a circle.