What Does “Bring sb around” Mean?
“Bring sb around” means to persuade someone to agree with you or to make someone regain consciousness.
Introduction
The phrase “bring sb around” is a common English phrasal verb with two main meanings. First, it can mean persuading someone to change their opinion or agree with your point of view. Second, it refers to helping someone regain consciousness after fainting or being unconscious. Understanding the bring sb around meaning is useful for both everyday conversations and more formal discussions. This phrase is often used in spoken English, making it important for learners to recognize and use it correctly. In this article, you will learn how to use “bring sb around” with real examples, common mistakes to avoid, and useful tips to improve your English skills.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: bring somebody around
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: persuade someone or help someone regain consciousness
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Bring sb around” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object (sb) between “bring” and “around” or after “around.”
- Bring someone around
- Bring around someone
Examples:
- She brought him around to her way of thinking.
- She brought around him to her way of thinking.
How to Use “Bring sb around”?
Use “bring sb around” when you want to describe the act of convincing someone to accept your idea or opinion. It is often used in informal and formal contexts. You can also use it literally when talking about helping someone wake up after fainting or being unconscious.
Examples of contexts:
- Negotiating or debating: “It took a long time, but I finally brought her around.”
- Medical or emergency situations: “The nurse brought the patient around after the accident.”
Examples
- It was hard to bring him around to our plan, but eventually, he agreed.
- After fainting, the doctor helped bring her around quickly.
- We need to bring the client around before the meeting ends.
- He was unconscious for a while, but the paramedics brought him around.
- Bring sb around in a sentence: “Can you bring him around to your idea?”
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: I bring around him to agree with me.
Correct: I brought him around to agree with me. - Incorrect: She bring somebody around the room.
Correct: She brought somebody around after fainting.
Differences / Synonyms
- Bring sb around vs. convince sb: Both mean persuading, but “bring sb around” often implies a longer process.
- Bring sb around vs. wake sb up: “Wake sb up” means to make someone stop sleeping, but “bring sb around” is used when someone is unconscious or fainted.
- Bring sb round: This is the British English version of “bring sb around.”
Common Collocations
- bring someone around to an idea
- bring someone around to your way of thinking
- bring someone around after fainting
- bring someone around to agree
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of bring sb around:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: I don’t think John will agree with our proposal.
Ben: Don’t worry, I think I can bring him around after we explain the benefits.
Anna: That would be great. We need his support.
Ben: Also, did you hear about the accident? The paramedics brought the driver around quickly.
Anna: Yes, I hope he’s okay now.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “bring sb around”:
- It took some time, but I finally _______ her _______ to my opinion.
- The nurse _______ the patient _______ after he fainted.
- Can you _______ him _______ to see things differently?
FAQs
- Q: Can “bring sb around” be used in formal writing?
A: Yes, especially when discussing persuasion or medical situations.
- Q: Is “bring sb around” the same as “convince someone”?
A: They are similar, but “bring sb around” often suggests a gradual change.
- Q: Can I say “bring sb around” if someone wakes up naturally?
A: No, it usually means helping someone regain consciousness.
- Q: What is the British English form of this phrasal verb?
A: “Bring sb round” is the British English equivalent.
- Q: Is “bring sb around” separable?
A: Yes, you can place the object between “bring” and “around” or after “around.”
