within their circle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "within their circle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a group of people who are closely associated or connected, often in a social or professional context. Example: "She felt comfortable sharing her ideas only within their circle of trusted friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Within their circle they speak a language all their own, their folklore and humour are unknown to us.

The Guardian

Weixin's particular quirk — that users communicate only with friends and contacts within their circle — has allowed companies to develop direct relationships with consumers.

The New York Times - Tech

But there is a long-held belief within their circle that any attacks on top Clinton loyalists are akin to attacks on the former first couple themselves.

The New York Times

In retrospect, Mrs. Hamdani said, she thought that though she and her husband would have benefited from group therapy, they were content to have shared their experiences within their circle of family and close friends, where people knew their son.

The New York Times

"Just as Alfred Stieglitz warned Georgia O'Keeffe that she must remain in New York if she wanted a successful career before she moved to Santa Fe, so did the major academies apply the same power of denial to those who were not within their circle".

The New York Times

Recruiting others within their circle to accept and support you, as they do.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Practitioners may find this not credible, but those academics will still have influence within their circles.

Harvard Business Review

They are also the most tech savvy, with Facebook and Twitter already staple social tools within their circles.

The Guardian - Opinion

They have the highest level of education and a significant part of the country's wealth, and sectarian issues play a very minimal role within their circles.

The Guardian - Opinion

The rules generally involve eating within a radius of a hundred or sometimes three hundred miles, and are undertaken in places, like Berkeley and the Pacific Northwest, that have a lot of nice produce and plump animals within their circles.

The New Yorker

They then enter the exploitation phase through developing stereotypes and test marketing their products to small samples of the population, mostly within their circles.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider if "within their circle" is the most precise phrase. Alternatives like "among their peers" or "in their community" might be more appropriate depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "within their circle" when referring to a broad or undefined group. The phrase suggests a clearly defined and relatively small group of people.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within their circle" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by specifying the scope or context of an action or attribute. It indicates that something is limited to, or occurs exclusively among, a particular group of people. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "within their circle" is a grammatically sound and usable English phrase that describes something occurring exclusively or primarily among a specific group of people. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct. While not extremely common, its usage spans across diverse contexts such as News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, ensure you are referring to a well-defined group and that alternative options like "among their group" or "in their inner circle" aren't more appropriate for your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

among their group

Replaces "circle" with the more general term "group".

in their inner circle

Adds the adjective "inner" to emphasize exclusivity.

inside their social group

Specifies that the circle is a social group.

within their community

Wider than "circle", indicates membership of a larger group.

in their close network

Uses "network" to suggest a more formal connection.

among their peers

Focuses on individuals of similar status.

in their family

Restricts the group to family members.

in their ranks

Suggests a structured or hierarchical group.

in their team

Highlights collaboration and a common goal.

in their organization

Refers to a formal entity.

FAQs

How can I use "within their circle" in a sentence?

You can use "within their circle" to describe actions, beliefs, or communications that are confined to a specific group of people. For instance: "They share secrets only within their circle of friends".

What phrases are similar to "within their circle"?

Similar phrases include "among their group", "in their inner circle", or "inside their social group". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "within their circle" in formal writing?

Yes, "within their circle" is suitable for formal writing, especially when discussing social dynamics or group behavior. However, ensure the tone and vocabulary of the surrounding text are also formal to maintain consistency.

What's the difference between "within their circle" and "in their community"?

"Within their circle" implies a smaller, more exclusive group with closer relationships. "In their community", on the other hand, refers to a larger group of people who share a common location, identity, or interest.