Question

Updated on 26 Nov 2022

dkirs

26 Nov 2022

Portuguese (Brazil) Near fluent

English (US)

Question about English (US)

Hi, Could you please if there is some difference or are used the same?

be hemmed in by

be surrounded by

Answers

HebrewDane

26 Nov 2022

English (US)

To be surrounded by means there are lots of people, or things, around you. Like if you are in a crowd of people waiting to get into a movie, or something like that. You would be surrounded by people. If you were in a forest with trees everywhere you could say "I am surrounded by trees in the forest."
Hemmed in by means that things or people are closed in around you and sort of prevent you from moving or leaving. Say you are at a baseball game and need to go to the bathroom. There is a crowd of people in the way. Standing at a food vendor to get stuff to eat. Blocking the door to the bathroom. You could say you were hemmed in by the people waiting for food.
Say you are trying to escape from a dangerous situation. But there were obstacles in the way. There was only one narrow path to get out. You could say you were hemmed in on three sides. On three sides there are things in the way to prevent you from leaving or escaping.

Highly-rated answerer

dkirs

26 Nov 2022

Portuguese (Brazil) Near fluent

@HebrewDane I understand. then, hemmed in by closed all around me is when I am limited to get out or I cannot get out and difficult to flee?

and surrounded by /with is a little far, but I can escape normally, but there are many people around me but they don't close me, right?

HebrewDane

26 Nov 2022

English (US)

@Lu_sg Yes. Surrounded just means things are all around you. Doesn't have to be a situation where you are in danger.
My sister lives in a town surrounded by mountains.

Highly-rated answerer

dkirs

26 Nov 2022

Portuguese (Brazil) Near fluent

@HebrewDane If I say , my uncle Robert works at a market and is surrounded by people who have their sunshades and they sell olives. is correct?

dkirs

26 Nov 2022

Portuguese (Brazil) Near fluent

@HebrewDane but hemmed in , has to have danger or it is not necessary? or also to escape or get out normally?

HebrewDane

26 Nov 2022

English (US)

@Lu_sg Yes. Your uncle is surrounded by other people selling stuff at the market. Correct.

Highly-rated answerer

dkirs

26 Nov 2022

Portuguese (Brazil) Near fluent

@HebrewDane ok. But hemmed in by, has to have danger of it is not necessary?

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Hi, Could you please if there is some difference or are used the same?

be hemmed in by

be surrounded by

Hi, Could you please if there is some difference or are used the same?be hemmed in by be surrounded by See a translation

@Lu_sg Yes. Surrounded just means things are all around you. Doesn't have to be a situation where you are in danger. My sister lives in a town surrounded by mountains.

@Lu_sg Yes. Your uncle is surrounded by other people selling stuff at the market. Correct.

Hi, Could you please if there is some difference or are used the same?

be hemmed in by

be surrounded by

@Lu_sg Yes. Surrounded just means things are all around you. Doesn't have to be a situation where you are in danger.
My sister lives in a town surrounded by mountains.