I read about

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "I read about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about reading something. For example, "I read about the First World War in my history book."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It just knocked me flat when I read about that.

Harvard University

Semel: I read about that as well.

TechCrunch

What do I read about in my free time?

Forbes

Kors: I read about that.

Huffington Post

I read about John Adams.

The New Yorker

I read about it in the paper.

The New Yorker

"I read about it in a newspaper.

Independent

I read about people being fired".

Independent

"I read about it," she said.

The New York Times

I read about their use.

The New York Times - Arts

TA: I read about it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Make sure that you are referring to something that you have specifically read, distinguishing it from information you might have heard or seen in other formats.

Common error

Avoid using "I read about" if your information comes from a non-written source, such as a documentary or a conversation. Use alternatives like "I learned about" or "I heard about" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I read about" functions as an introductory phrase to indicate the source of information. It establishes that the information being discussed was obtained through reading. Ludwig confirms this is a standard and correct English expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I read about" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that information was obtained from a written source. Ludwig confirms that the expression is appropriate and standard in English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in academic and business settings. When using this phrase, ensure that the information genuinely came from reading, and consider alternative phrases like "I learned of" or "I found out by reading" for slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I learned of

Focuses more on the act of learning or becoming aware, rather than the specific act of reading.

I found out by reading

Similar to 'I learned of', it emphasizes obtaining information, but specifically through reading.

I discovered through reading

Emphasizes the process of discovery and the role of reading in it.

I saw in print

Focuses on the visual aspect of reading, and the information being in a printed form.

I came across in writing

Highlights a chance encounter with information, making it suitable when you stumbled upon something.

My reading revealed

Positions the reading as the active agent that uncovers or shows something.

I perused and found

Implies a more thorough and deliberate reading process, which leads to a finding.

The text informed me that

Emphasizes the informational aspect of the reading material.

I gathered from the text

Highlights the process of collecting information piece by piece from the reading material.

I consulted literature on

Suggests a more formal and research-oriented approach to gathering information.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I read about"?

You can use alternatives like "I learned of", "I found out by reading", or "I discovered through reading depending on the nuance you want to convey".

Is it always necessary to specify that I "read about" something?

No, it's not always necessary. Specifying that you "read about" something is useful when the source of your information is relevant or when you want to emphasize that your knowledge comes from written material. Otherwise, you can simply say "I know about" or "I learned about".

How to use "I read about" in a sentence?

The phrase "I read about" is typically followed by the topic you read about. For example, "I read about the new scientific discovery in The New York Times" or "I read about the author's life before I started her book".

What's the difference between "I read about" and "I heard about"?

"I read about" indicates that you gained information from a written source, while "I heard about" suggests that you received information through spoken communication. The former emphasizes reading, and the latter emphasizes listening.