Word Choice Around vs. Round

Word Choice Around vs. Round Word Choice: Around vs. Round Are the words â€Å"around† and â€Å"round† interchangeable? Yes. Except for when they’re not. The problem is that these terms have several uses between them, but only some uses overlap. To make sure your written work is error free, then, check out our guide to using these words correctly. Around and Round (Positions and Movements) We typically use â€Å"around† to describe the position or movement of something. This can include any of the following: Moving in a circular motion or following a perimeter Surrounding or being surrounded by something Being near to or in the general proximity of something In each of these cases, â€Å"around† works as either an adverb or a preposition. We can see how each use works in practice in the examples below: We started by walking around the edge of the field. There were trees all around. We checked to see if there were any farms around. We can also use â€Å"round† in any of these sentences. For instance: We started by walking round the edge of the field. There were trees all round. We checked to see if there were any farms round. When discussing the position or movement of something, then, you can treat â€Å"around† and â€Å"round† as synonyms. However, â€Å"around† is usually the better choice in formal writing. Approximations and Rounding Another use of â€Å"around† is as an adverb meaning â€Å"roughly† or â€Å"approximately.† For example, we could say: I have around $150 to last the next month. But even if we can use â€Å"around† in relation to numbers, this should not be confused with â€Å"rounding† a number up or down. Nor is it the same as describing something as a â€Å"round number† in math. Other Uses of Round The word â€Å"round† has other uses as a noun, verb, and adjective. As a noun, for example, it can mean any of the following: A stage in a process or competition (e.g., A round of golf†¦) Something cut into a circle (e.g., Pastry rounds†¦) Drinks bought for a group of people (e.g., I’ll get the next round†¦) A shot from a gun (e.g., They fired three rounds into the air†¦) As a verb, meanwhile, in addition to â€Å"rounding† a number, it can refer to: Moving around something (e.g., Rounding a corner†¦) Forming something into a circle (e.g., He rounded his lips and blew†¦) Finally, as an adjective, it can mean â€Å"circular† or â€Å"plump.† In short, â€Å"round† has a lot of meanings! However, we cannot use â€Å"around† in its place for any of these noun, verb, or adjective uses. Summary: Around or Round? While â€Å"round† can be an informal alternative to â€Å"around† when used to describe the movement or position of something, this is not the case with other uses of these words. Remember: Either around or round can be used to describe the movement or position of something. However, â€Å"around†Ã‚   is more formal. We also use around to say that something is a rough estimate, but we cannot use â€Å"round† as a synonym in this case. The word round has many other uses as an adjective, a noun, and a verb. However, you cannot use â€Å"around† in its place for these uses. So it is only with respect to movement or positioning that these terms are interchangeable. And if you’d like help checking you’ve used these terms correctly, just let us know.

Spelling Review Exercises for Commonly Misspelled Words

Spelling Review Exercises for Commonly Misspelled Words Study  spelling rules and commonly misspelled words, then test your spelling skills by completing the following short exercises. In some cases, you will need to add a letter or two to complete the correct spelling of each word in parentheses. In other cases, the word in parentheses is correct as it stands. When youre done, compare your responses with the answers below. Group A: To E or Not to E? Some of the words in parentheses require the addition of the letter e; others are correct as they stand. Gus is (tru-ly) sorry for keeping you awake last night.We were criticized (sever-ly) by the sewing circle.The shed was (complet-ly) demolished.Merdine was (sincer-ly) grateful for the reprieve.The Simpsons are (argu-ing) again.They (argu-d) last night for hours.When is Mr. Wolfe (com-ing) home.Maya is (writ-ing) her autobiography.Mr. White is (judg-ing) the essay contest.Be (car-ful) when you light the furnace. Group B: IE or EI? Some of the words require the addition of ie; others require ei. Paint the (cling) before you paint the walls.Gus has been (recving) threatening e-mails.A (wrd) noise came out of the attic.I paid almost five dollars for that (pce) of pie.I dont (belve) in coincidence.The guests brought (thr) children to the wedding.(Nther) of us can help you today.The (nghbors) complained about our parents.Linda (wghs) less than her collie.We waited for the (frght) train to pass. Group C: I or Y? Some of the words require the addition of i; others require y. Have you (tr-ed) the dessert yet?The baby (cr-ed) throughout the church service.We compared two (theor-es) of evolution.Peggy felt (betra-ed) by her manager.You should be (stud-ing) for Fridays exam.(Lonel-ness) was never a problem for Henry.She (fl-es) on broken wings.I have always (rel-ed) on my friends.Please give Mr. Flannery my (apolog-es).It was a (pit-ful) sight. Group D: A, E, or I? Complete each word with the letter a, e, or i. I borrowed these flowers from the (cemet-ry).My parakeet eats huge (quant-ties) of bird seed.The tax cuts will (ben-fit) the wealthy.It was a (priv-lege) to meet you.He has a remarkably (unpleas-nt) disposition.We placed the puppies in (sep-rate) rooms.Henry is an (independ-nt) thinker.I found an (excell-nt) excuse to resign from the committee.She chose items from different (cat-gories).Professor Legree made another (irrelev-nt) remark. Group E: Single or Double? Some of these words require the doubling of a consonant; others are correct as they stand. The sun was (shin-ing) down like honey.The experiment was (control-ed) by a madman.The region is slowly (begin-ing) to recover.Doug (pour-ed) sugar over Yoddys oatmeal.She keeps (forget-ing) to call me.Gus (admit-ed) his mistake.They were (sweat-ing) in the classroom.That idea never (occur-ed) to me.The bunny went (hop-ing) down to the abattoir.His doctor (refer-ed) him to a dimple specialist. Group F: Letters Needed? Some of these words require the addition of one or more letters; others are correct as they stand. Marriage comes without a (g-arantee).Caley (su-prised) me.You are (prob-ly) going to be late.Does she (reali-e) that her socks dont match?(D-scribe) the man who hit you.We waited (until-) the mortician arrived.Merdine (recom-ended) a psychiatrist.Take two (asp-rin) and go to bed.She supports a strong (ath-letic) program.The (tem-rature) reached 109 degrees in Yuma. Group G: More Letters Needed? Some of these words require the addition of one or more letters; others are correct as they stand. She (a-quired) a good tan and a new boyfriend.Gus is (basic-ly) lazy.We must work together to improve the (envir-ment).I wish Hansel would just (dis-pear).Mr. Summers should attend to his (bus-ness).Alice Walker wrote an essay (sim-lar) to yours.The Red Sox have (fin-ly) won a ball game.I was (dis-appointed) by the cranberries in dill sauce.Doc Brown was working in his (lab-ratory).Baron Leibniz works for the (gover-ment). When youre done, compare your responses with the answers below. Answers Here are the answers to the Spelling Review Exercises, Groups A through G. ANSWERS- GROUP A1. truly; 2. severely; 3. completely; 4. sincerely; 5. arguing; 6. argued; 7. coming; 8. writing; 9. judging; 10. careful. ANSWERS- GROUP B1. ceiling; 2. receiving; 3. weird; 4. piece; 5. believe; 6. their; 7. Neither; 8. neighbors; 9. weighs; 10. freight ANSWERS- GROUP C1. tried; 2. cried; 3. theories; 4. betrayed; 5. studying; 6. Loneliness; 7. flies; 8.  relied; 9. apologies; 10. pitiful ANSWERS- GROUP D1. cemetery; 2. quantities; 3. benefit; 4. privilege; 5. unpleasant; 6. separate; 7. independent; 8. excellent; 9. categories; 10. irrelevant ANSWERS- GROUP E1. shining; 2. controlled; 3. beginning; 4. poured; 5. forgetting; 6. admitted; 7. sweating; 8. occurred; 9. hopping; 10. referred ANSWERS- GROUP F1. guarantee; 2. surprised; 3. probably; 4. realize; 5. Describe; 6. until; 7. recommended; 8. aspirin; 9. athletic; 10. temperature ANSWERS- GROUP G1. acquired; 2. basically; 3. environment; 4. disappear; 5. business; 6. similar; 7. finally; 8. disappointed; 9. laboratory; 10. government