Prepositions - Around
1. Around means following a boundary, in a circular direction.
Pattern: motion verb + around + noun
We walked around the block.
Verbs commonly used before around:
drive, fly, race, ride, run, skip, travel, walk
Nouns commonly used after around:
block, building, house, room, track, world
2. Around (adverb) indicates movement in a circular direction in place.
Pattern: verb + around (on)
The earth spins around on its axis as it travels around the sun.
Typical verbs used before around:
spin, turn, whirl
Expressions:
1. turn around (adverb)—face the opposite direction?
You are going east; to go west, you have to turn around.
2. turn something around (adverb)—reverse the position of something
Turn your chair around and talk to me.
3. Around means enclosing.
Pattern: verb + noun + around + noun
The teacher drew a circle around each mistake.
The rancher put a rope around the cow's neck.
Verbs commonly used with this pattern:
draw, fasten, put, tie, wrap
4. (All) around means in all areas of.
There is crime all around this city.
5. (All) around can mean on all sides of.
People were screaming all around me.
6. Around means on another side of.
The bank is around the corner.
Their farm is just around the bend.
Expressions:
1. around back—at the back of a building
Go around back to pick up your merchandise.
2. go around the bend—be crazy
I am so busy, I think I am going around the bend.
Pattern: motion verb + around + noun
We walked around the block.
Verbs commonly used before around:
drive, fly, race, ride, run, skip, travel, walk
Nouns commonly used after around:
block, building, house, room, track, world
2. Around (adverb) indicates movement in a circular direction in place.
Pattern: verb + around (on)
The earth spins around on its axis as it travels around the sun.
Typical verbs used before around:
spin, turn, whirl
Expressions:
1. turn around (adverb)—face the opposite direction?
You are going east; to go west, you have to turn around.
2. turn something around (adverb)—reverse the position of something
Turn your chair around and talk to me.
3. Around means enclosing.
Pattern: verb + noun + around + noun
The teacher drew a circle around each mistake.
The rancher put a rope around the cow's neck.
Verbs commonly used with this pattern:
draw, fasten, put, tie, wrap
4. (All) around means in all areas of.
There is crime all around this city.
5. (All) around can mean on all sides of.
People were screaming all around me.
6. Around means on another side of.
The bank is around the corner.
Their farm is just around the bend.
Expressions:
1. around back—at the back of a building
Go around back to pick up your merchandise.
2. go around the bend—be crazy
I am so busy, I think I am going around the bend.
