whiz around

USAGE SUMMARY

"whiz around" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used as a descriptive verb phrase to indicate someone or something moving quickly and with great speed. Example: The roller coaster whizzed around the track, making the riders scream with excitement. In this sentence, "whizzed around" describes the rapid movement of the roller coaster as it moves along the track. It adds a sense of excitement and intensity to the sentence.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

That's why I prefer to go on my own so I can whiz around and not have to listen to "What's this one like?

The Guardian - Sport

You just want to watch a genius whiz around and come up with ingenious solutions for problems, which are cleverly explained by title cards on the screen and a sometimes-invasive voiceover.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The same keys that let you whiz around in word-processing documents will also help you dispense with constantly pressing the scroll button on the screen: the up-and-down arrow keys will take you line by line through a page, while the page-up and page-down buttons will advance the text a full screen at a time.

The New York Times

If not, have at least someone else to talk to you as you whiz around cleaning up.

WikiHow

Golf carts whiz around, and people in swimsuits walk home from the beach toting chairs.

The New York Times

And as they whiz around New York City and its suburbs, they blur together.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

As the music whizzes around, artists can get a reaction to new work as soon as they want.

The New York Times - Arts

While even the fastest racing drones cruise at just over 100 miles per hour, Firefly whizzes around at up to 550 miles per hour, thanks to its slow-burning, scaled-down engine.

MIT Technology Review

They are quickly overrun by a feline strike team that steals the professor's material and holes up in a clanky Christmas notions plant run by Tinkles's owner, a geezer on life support who whizzes around in a mechanized wheelchair.

The New York Times

I could see myself, the ever laughing mum, the one that whizzes around, fixing things, baking and making things with my children, planning days out, family holidays, spending Summer evenings socialising with my husband and friends...

Huffington Post

Gender identity is not defined by a person's physicality!" Just when you think you've learned enough for the day, Gigi's brother Anwar calls out from a nearby tire swing, or picnic table, or as he whizzes around on an antique baroque carnival carousel imported from Paris or something—I'm not entirely sure and says: "We're chill!

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whiz around" to vividly describe rapid movement, especially in informal contexts where you want to create a sense of energy and speed. For example, "The kids were whizzing around the playground."

Common error

Avoid using "whiz around" in formal or professional writing where a more precise or sophisticated verb might be more appropriate. Opt for alternatives like "move quickly" or "navigate swiftly" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "whiz around" primarily functions as a descriptive verb, depicting rapid and often energetic movement. This is confirmed by Ludwig's examples, where it illustrates actions like cars racing or individuals moving quickly through a space.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

10%

Science

7.5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "whiz around" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrasal verb, particularly within news and media contexts, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples. It serves to vividly describe rapid and energetic movement, though its informal tone makes it less suited for formal writing. While effective in conveying speed and activity, it's crucial to consider alternatives like ""speed around"" or "navigate swiftly" based on context. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and descriptive power in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

speed around

Focuses more on the velocity of movement, emphasizing the quick pace.

zip around

Emphasizes swift and often short movements, suggesting agility and quick changes in direction.

dash around

Implies hurried and somewhat disorganized movement, often suggesting a sense of urgency.

race around

Suggests a competitive element or a need to be faster than others while moving.

fly around

Indicates very rapid movement, often suggesting effortless speed or agility.

hurry around

Implies a sense of haste or urgency in one's movements, focusing on the hurried nature.

scurry around

Conveys a sense of quick, light steps, often associated with small creatures or busy activity.

dart around

Suggests sudden, quick movements in multiple directions, like a small, agile creature.

buzz around

Implies energetic and continuous movement, often suggesting a lack of clear direction or purpose.

whirl around

Emphasizes circular or spinning motion while moving quickly.

FAQs

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

You can use "whiz around" to describe rapid movement. For instance, "The race cars "speed around" the track" or "She "zip around" the office, handling multiple tasks efficiently".

What are some alternatives to "whiz around"?

Alternatives to "whiz around" include phrases like ""speed around"", ""zip around"", or "dart around", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "whiz around" appropriate for formal writing?

While "whiz around" is widely understood, it's generally more appropriate for informal or descriptive writing. In formal contexts, consider using more precise alternatives like "move quickly" or "navigate swiftly".

What's the difference between "whiz around" and "rush around"?

"Whiz around" implies rapid and often somewhat carefree movement, while "rush around" suggests hurried and often stressed movement. The former focuses on speed, the latter on urgency.