Cool MateIt is all around us vs Surrounding
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
It is all around us
Top 2,000 (common)
Surrounding
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
| It is all around us | Surrounding | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪt ɪz ɔːl əˈraʊnd ʌs//🇺🇸 //ɪt ɪz ɔːl əˈraʊnd ʌs// | 🇬🇧 /["/səˈraʊndɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/səˈraʊndɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | It is everywhere near us. | What is all around something. |
| Example | In the digital age, information is all around us. | Oxford and the **surrounding area** |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | love is all around us, changes are all around us, information is all around us | surrounding areas, surrounding environment, surrounding landscape, surrounding buildings, surrounding community |
| Antonyms | - | center, inside |
| Common mistakes | Using inappropriately in formal writing when exact terms are better., Confusing with similar phrases like 'It is everywhere.' | Confused with 'surrounded' as both are often used interchangeably., Using 'surrounding' as a verb instead of an adjective., Incorrectly placing 'surrounding' before a noun that it doesn't modify. |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase to indicate something that is omnipresent; appropriate in both spoken and written contexts. | Use 'surrounding' to describe things or places that are around other things. It’s neutral terminology suitable for both casual and formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: It is all around us vs Surrounding
What's the difference between It is all around us and Surrounding?
It is all around us: It is everywhere near us. Surrounding: What is all around something.
Can you show an example of each?
It is all around us: In the digital age, information is all around us. Surrounding: Oxford and the **surrounding area**
Can I use It is all around us and Surrounding interchangeably?
Not always. It is all around us and Surrounding are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.