trickle around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trickle around" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
Example: News of the new policy began to trickle around the office, causing a stir among the employees.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

To date, only a trickle (around 3,500) have made it to the UK, and Europe as a whole is only resettling around 0.6percentt, with Germany offering up the most places (10,000).

Vice

She is hunched over a red, wire-frame shopping cart yelling at the fish market workers who trickle around her to buy newspapers, socks, underwear, bandannas and -- Annie's biggest seller, much to her regret -- cigarettes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The confidentiality request on the FCC report expires in April, which would mean some information should trickle out around then.

TechCrunch

This community was taken by surprise as reports starting trickling out around 1999 that lead-based decorative paints were still being manufactured abroad.

Environmental Health Perspectives

And the money trickles around.

The Economist

A peppery incense smell trickles around me.

The New Yorker

Dam the river, as Spain and others have found, and it eventually trickles around the obstacle, however big.

The Economist

A subterranean stream of death and personal tragedy trickles around the margins of Jim Holt's new book, "Why Does the World Exist?

The New York Times - Books

They tugged against it instead: lagging deliberately behind, clawing chords on offbeats, trickling around it or rising in craggy, determined lines.

The New York Times - Arts

Whip the double cream until it holds soft peaks, use to sandwich together pairs of meringues, and serve with more puree trickled around.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Sumerian city of Eridu marks the dawn of urbanisation in 3700BC, which trickles around Mesopotamia, Iran, India and China before eventually coming west to the Mediterranean.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trickle around", consider the visual imagery it evokes: a slow, gentle spread like liquid. Use it to describe subtle or gradual dissemination of information, influence, or physical substances.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "trickle around" can sound informal or even whimsical in serious, formal writing. Opt for more precise or professional alternatives such as "disseminate", "spread", or "circulate" for enhanced clarity and impact in formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trickle around" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used to describe the way information or a substance gradually spreads or moves within a given area. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and is seen within a variety of writing contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

14%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trickle around" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the gradual spread or movement of something. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for a variety of writing contexts, although may be too informal for strict academic environments. As it evokes a gentle, subtle image, it's best used when conveying a sense of gradual dissemination. While it appears frequently in "News & Media", consider alternatives like "spread gradually" or "disseminate" in more formal settings. The phrase's frequency is classified as uncommon, suggesting that while acceptable, it isn't the most prevalent choice. Therefore, keep in mind the context to optimize its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Trickle along

Similar to "trickle around" but suggests movement along a path or route.

Seep through

Emphasizes gradual permeation, similar to a liquid passing through a porous material.

Filter through

Suggests a process of refinement or selection as something spreads.

Spread gradually

Focuses on the gradual and expansive nature of the movement or distribution.

Diffuse slowly

Highlights the slow dispersion of something from a central point.

Permeate the area

Indicates thorough saturation or penetration throughout a space.

Emanate softly

Suggests a gentle and subtle emission or outflow.

Infiltrate slowly

Emphasizes a gradual and subtle entry or penetration.

Percolate through

Implies a slow, upward movement or filtering process.

Flow gently

Focuses on the smooth and unhurried movement of a liquid or abstract entity.

FAQs

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

You can use "trickle around" to describe the gradual spread of something, like news or liquid. For example, "Rumors began to trickle around the office" or "Water trickled around the rocks".

What's a more formal way to say "trickle around"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "trickle around" include "spread gradually", "disseminate", or "circulate". These options are suitable for formal writing.

Is "trickle around" appropriate for academic writing?

"Trickle around" might be too informal for most academic writing. Consider using more precise and formal terms like "diffuse slowly" or "permeate the area" instead.

What's the difference between "trickle around" and "trickle along"?

"Trickle around" suggests movement or spread in multiple directions, while "trickle along" implies movement in a linear fashion, following a specific path or route.