I'm pretty sure you have heard 'around' a lot before. In this lesson, we are going to learn all about it. Come on.

How To Use "Around" in English

'Around' is pretty common in the English language. It mainly functions as an adverb and a prepsition. In this lesson, we will discuss how to learn and use it.

Functions of 'Around'

'Around' as an Adverb

As stated above, 'around' can be an adverb. Below, we are going to analyze the different kinds of adverbs it can be:

Use

'Around' as an Adverb of Movement and Direction

'Around' can be used as an adverb of movement and direction and show something/someone moving. Let us take a look at the list below to understand all about its different meanings in this category:

  • When we want to indicate that something is surrounding someone/something, we use 'around':

Imagine owning a cottage with trees and colorful flowers all around.

Last night, I saw witches all around me in my dream.

  • When something is moving in circles, we use 'around':

The Ferris Wheel just goes around all day.

The wheels have finally started going around.

  • When we want to show moving to some places, we use 'around':

When I got home, there were many Hogwarts letters flying around.

In the daytime, many people are rushing around in the city.

  • When we want to move in a way to be on the opposite of our former position:

The cockroach suddenly turned around and ran towards me.

She was constantly biting her nails and looking around.

'Around' as an Adverb of Manner

We can also use 'around' as an adverb of manner. Below, we have provided a list of all its meanings for you:

  • When we want to show that something/someone is available, we use 'around':

A : Haven't you seen Martha?

B : We were talking a while ago. She should be around there.

I thought I heard someone screaming. Is everyone all right around here?

  • We use 'around' when someone is active and famous in a particular field:

Judith Fetterly has been around as a literary critic for a while.

Julie Andrews has been around as an actress since the 70s.

Position in a Sentence

As you know, adverbs mainly come after adjectives, verbs, and other adverbs and modify them. Let us take a look at the following examples for more clarification:

As the map shows, the amusement park is somewhere around here.

The children better stop fooling around.

'Around' as a Preposition

As stated above, 'around' can function as a preposition, too. Below, we are going to learn all about the different kinds of prepositions it can be:

Use

'Around' as a Preposition of Movement and Direction

'Around' can sometimes function as a preposition of movement and direction. Below, we have provided you with a list to get a glimpse of all its meanings:

  • When we want to show that something is surrounding something/someone, we use 'around':

The goth girl put an arm around her girlfriend.

Before the great war, the mansion was built around the square.

  • When we want to indicate that something/someone is on the other side of another:

There is a drug store just around the corner.

The bike riders just came around the curve.

  • When we want to show movement in circles:

Couples started moving around the dance floor.

The red team are running around the balls.

  • When we want to show movement from one place to another. Look below:

I saw many people running around the streets.

Most of the elephants were slowly walking around the forest.

  • When we want to show something in relation to another, we use 'around':

My daughter has some problem around being confident in public.

My therapist has many approaches around the healing process.

Position in a Sentence

Since 'around' is a preposition here, it mainly comes before nouns and noun phrases. Let us take a look at the following examples:

Just around Fleet street, you can find Mr. Todd.

The boys started running around the girls.

Idioms and Expressions

We have a few idioms with 'around. Below, we are going to learn all about them:

  • Around and around: When something/someone is moving in circles continuously, we use this one:

The skaters went around and around.

I could see colorful light beams dancing around and around.

  • Around the clock: When something goes on non-stop:

If you want a baby, be prepared to care for it around the clock.

My supervisor talked for two hours around the clock.

  • Just around the corner: When we want to show that something/someone is very close to us:

A : Could you tell me where the library is again?

B : Yes, it's just around the corner. It's just two blocks away.

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