Understanding the Phrasal Verb "Bring Around"
The English language is full of phrasal verbs that can be tricky to master because they often have multiple, distinct meanings. One of the most versatile of these is the term bring around. Whether you are talking about changing someone’s mind, helping a patient recover, or waking someone up after a fainting spell, this phrase fits into many different contexts. Mastering it will help you sound much more natural and precise in your daily conversations.
Definitions and Core Meanings
To understand how to use this phrase effectively, it helps to break it down into its three primary definitions:
1. To persuade or influence someone
This meaning refers to the act of convincing someone to accept an idea, opinion, or course of action that they previously disagreed with. It implies a process of change over time.
- "I didn't want to go to the concert, but my friends eventually brought me around."
- "It took a long debate, but the marketing team was finally brought around to the new strategy."
2. To help someone regain consciousness
When someone faints or loses consciousness, bringing them around means helping them wake up or become alert again. This is often used in medical or emergency contexts.
- "The doctor used smelling salts to help bring the patient around after the surgery."
- "It took a few minutes of fresh air to bring her around after she felt dizzy."
3. To restore to health or a better state
Similar to recovery, this usage suggests nurturing someone back to health, often after a period of illness or emotional distress.
- "She was very sick for weeks, but the new medication really brought her around."
- "Don't worry, a good night's sleep and a warm meal will bring you around."
Grammar and Usage Patterns
Bring around is a separable phrasal verb. This means that when you use a pronoun (like me, you, him, her, us, or them), you often place the pronoun in the middle of the verb:
- "I will bring him around to my way of thinking." (Correct)
- "I will bring around him." (Incorrect)
However, if you are using a noun (like "the patient" or "the team"), you can usually place it either in the middle or at the end of the phrase:
- "The medicine helped bring the patient around."
- "The medicine helped bring around the patient."
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One common mistake learners make is confusing "bring around" with "come around." While they are related, they are not interchangeable.
Bring around implies that you are the one doing the action to someone else (persuading them or waking them up). In contrast, come around describes the person changing their own mind or waking up on their own.
- Correction: "He finally came around to my point of view." (He changed his own mind.)
- Correction: "I finally brought him around to my point of view." (I influenced his mind.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "bring around" the same as "bring over"?
No. To "bring over" means to transport something or someone to a specific location (like your house). "Bring around" is almost exclusively used for influencing opinions or health status.
Can I use "bring around" for objects?
Generally, no. You use "bring around" for people, moods, or abstract concepts like opinions. You would not say, "I brought around my laptop."
Is this phrase formal?
It is standard, everyday English. It is perfectly appropriate for casual conversation, school settings, or even workplace meetings, though it is slightly too informal for academic or legal writing.
Conclusion
The phrasal verb bring around is a vital tool for expressing influence, recovery, and awareness. By recognizing its different meanings—persuading someone, waking them up, or helping them get healthy—you can add depth to your English communication. Remember to pay attention to whether you are using a pronoun or a noun, and keep practicing these patterns until they feel natural in your own speech.