around
As an adverb at a C2 level, it denotes presence, availability, or existence within a specific vicinity or context. It is also used to indicate approximate values or to describe movement or positioning that encircles a point or lacks a specific direction.
Exemples
3 sur 5I'll be around all afternoon if you need to discuss the itinerary.
I'll be around all afternoon if you need to discuss the itinerary.
Rumors have been floating around regarding a potential hostile takeover of the firm.
Rumors have been floating around regarding a potential hostile takeover of the firm.
He’s been hanging around the skate park since he was ten years old.
He’s been hanging around the skate park since he was ten years old.
Synonymes
Famille de mots
Astuce mémo
Visualize a circle: 'around' covers the area within or the movement tracing the perimeter, keeping everything 'in the loop'.
Quiz rapide
The CEO isn't _______ at the moment, but you can leave a message with his assistant.
Correct !
La bonne réponse est : around
Exemples
I'll be around all afternoon if you need to discuss the itinerary.
everydayI'll be around all afternoon if you need to discuss the itinerary.
Rumors have been floating around regarding a potential hostile takeover of the firm.
formalRumors have been floating around regarding a potential hostile takeover of the firm.
He’s been hanging around the skate park since he was ten years old.
informalHe’s been hanging around the skate park since he was ten years old.
The carbon dating suggests the artifact originated around the fourth century BCE.
academicThe carbon dating suggests the artifact originated around the fourth century BCE.
We need to check if the regional manager is around to authorize this expenditure.
businessWe need to check if the regional manager is around to authorize this expenditure.
Synonymes
Famille de mots
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
beat around the bush
to avoid talking about the main topic directly
get around to
to finally find the time to do something
around the clock
all day and all night without stopping
Souvent confondu avec
'Around' is more common in American English as an adverb/preposition, whereas 'round' is often preferred in British English for movement; 'round' is also the primary adjective for shape.
Notes d'usage
In C2 contexts, 'around' is frequently utilized in phrasal verbs to express abstract concepts like avoidance (get around) or presence (be around). It also serves as a precise way to indicate approximation in data reporting when 'exactly' cannot be verified.
Erreurs courantes
Learners often use 'around' when 'about' or 'approximately' would be more formal in a strictly academic dissertation. Avoid using it redundantly with 'approximately' (e.g., avoid 'approximately around 5%').
Astuce mémo
Visualize a circle: 'around' covers the area within or the movement tracing the perimeter, keeping everything 'in the loop'.
Origine du mot
From the Middle English 'around', a combination of the prefix 'a-' (on/in) and 'round' (from Old French 'roont').
Modèles grammaticaux
Quiz rapide
The CEO isn't _______ at the moment, but you can leave a message with his assistant.
Correct !
La bonne réponse est : around
Grammaire lie
Expressions liées
Vocabulaire associé
Mots lis
unknown
A1A person or thing that is not known, recognized, or familiar. It often refers to a mysterious situation or a person who has not yet achieved fame or success.
of
A1A preposition used to show a relationship between a part and a whole, or to indicate belonging and origin. It connects a noun or pronoun to another part of the sentence to specify which one or what kind.
in
A1A preposition used to indicate position within a container, a space, an area, or a period of time. It describes being surrounded by something or being inside the boundaries of a location.
it
A1A third-person singular pronoun used to refer to an object, animal, or situation that has already been mentioned or is clear from context. It is also frequently used as a dummy subject to talk about time, weather, or distance.
on
A1A preposition used to indicate that something is in a position above and supported by a surface. It is also used to indicate a specific day or date, or to show that a device is functioning.
as
A1A conjunction used to compare two things that are equal in some way. It is most commonly used in the pattern 'as + adjective/adverb + as' to show similarity.
this
A1Used to identify a specific person, thing, or idea that is physically close to the speaker or has just been mentioned. It can also refer to the present time or a situation that is currently happening.
by
A1A preposition used to show the method or means of doing something, or to identify the person or thing that performs an action. It frequently appears in passive sentences to indicate the agent or before modes of transport.
we
A1The word 'we' is a first-person plural pronoun used to refer to the speaker and one or more other people collectively. It is used as the subject of a sentence or clause.
or
A1A coordinating conjunction used to connect two or more possibilities or alternatives. it indicates that only one of the options is likely, required, or true.
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