a crowd about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a crowd about" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used to describe a situation where a group of people is gathered around a specific location or event, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "There was a crowd about the street performer, eager to see his tricks."

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

He is there to speak to a crowd about the importance of muscular dystrophy research.

The Guardian - Sport

After Carlson broadcast a segment about crime in immigrant neighborhoods in Sweden, Trump was inspired to tell a crowd about "what's happening, last night, in Sweden".

The New Yorker

She had been standing on a soapbox in Union Square addressing a crowd about why they should vote for him, and he came by and praised her as he held her aloft.

The New York Times

According to eyewitness ac counts, Mr. Nixon narrowly escaped being struck by four or five eggs thrown in his di rection from a crowd about 25 yards away as he emerged.

The New York Times

Blumenthal in 2003 told a crowd about "return[ing] from Vietnam," implying he had been there, and in 2008 he told another crowd about "the days that I served in Vietnam". He didn't.

The Washington Post

McPhail got the ball in a crowd about 30 yards out and wheeled it to Foley, who snuck behind American defender C.J. Brown 10 yards from the goal and booted it past goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"We had it for seven years, and we were getting a good crowd, about 5,000 in our last year," he said.

The New York Times

Promoters are hoping for a crowd of about 3,500 in the Theater, which seats about 5,600.

The New York Times - Sports

Last year, the event attracted a crowd of about 5,000 people.

The New York Times

The organizers had expected a crowd of about 500.

The New York Times

A crowd of about 100 cheered and clapped for her.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a crowd about", ensure the context clearly indicates what the crowd is gathering around or related to. This phrase can be somewhat vague, so provide specific details to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a crowd about" when a more specific description of the gathering's purpose or focus is needed. For example, instead of "a crowd about the incident", specify "a crowd gathered to protest the incident".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a crowd about" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "crowd" is the noun and "about" acts as a preposition indicating the crowd's relationship to a specific location, event, or topic. The phrase describes a gathering of people in relation to something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a crowd about" describes a group of people gathered near or concerning something specific. Ludwig AI reports that although grammatically acceptable, it is not as common as alternatives like "a crowd around". The phrase is most frequently used in news and media contexts. For clearer writing, consider specifying the purpose or focus of the crowd. Overall, while acceptable, careful consideration should be given to context and clarity when using "a crowd about".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a crowd around

Replaces 'about' with 'around' to indicate a gathering encircling something.

a throng near

Uses 'throng' as a synonym for 'crowd' and 'near' to indicate proximity.

a gathering concerning

Employs 'gathering' instead of 'crowd' and 'concerning' to specify the topic of the gathering.

a group discussing

Replaces 'crowd' with 'group' and focuses on the activity of discussion.

people assembled regarding

Uses 'assembled' for a more formal tone and 'regarding' to indicate the subject.

a multitude concerning

Utilizes 'multitude' to emphasize a large crowd and 'concerning' to indicate the subject.

an audience focused on

Highlights the attentive nature of the crowd with 'audience' and uses 'focused on' to specify their attention.

individuals gathered for

Emphasizes the individual presence within the crowd and their shared purpose.

a circle surrounding

Employs 'circle' to suggest a circular arrangement of the crowd.

a company concerning

Replaces "crowd" with "company" and "about" with "concerning", indicating a group with a shared purpose or interest.

FAQs

What does "a crowd about" mean?

The phrase "a crowd about" generally refers to a group of people gathered around a particular place or topic. It indicates that the crowd is in proximity to or concerned with something specific.

Is "a crowd about" grammatically correct?

While grammatically acceptable, the phrase "a crowd about" isn't as common as alternatives like "a crowd around" or a "group gathered". Its usage is less frequent in contemporary English.

What are some alternatives to "a crowd about"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a crowd around", "people gathered", or "a group near". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I make my writing clearer when describing a crowd?

To improve clarity, specify the purpose or focus of the crowd. Instead of "a crowd about", consider saying "a crowd gathered for the concert" or "a crowd discussing the new policy".