* what is the difference between the prepositions "round" and "around" ? For American speakers, the word "round" is more common as an adjective. For example, "The ball is round in shape." However it can be mistaken for a preposition if certain slang english is spoken, or in music. For example the song, "she'll be comin 'round the mountain" or talking about a time, "I'll be there 'round 4 o'clock". In British English, "round" is used as an adverb and preposition to specifically reference circular motion, or visiting many parts of something. for example, "He turned round and went back to the game" and "They traveled round the neighborhood" For Americans, it sounds really weird to use round this way, and instead we'd be more likely to say "around". "Around" is used for almost exactly the same things as "round" but perhaps not as specific to circular motion. For example we would say "I will arrive around 4 o'clock" for a general use of time, and "I've been around the block" as if to say "I've seen that stuff before". Americans have a slang word, 'round, and that's common to the southern accent. For example, "She'll be com in 'round the mountain" song. 'round is an abbreviated version of "around" and is used in all the same instances of "around". To me, it feels like "around" has more flexible uses, but perhaps a person who knows British English could tell you whether "round" is more formal than "around". For Americans, it is. Texans certainly don't use "round" :)