a population of about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a population of about" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a specific number or estimate of the size of a group of people or animals. Example: "The city has a population of about one million people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The island has a population of about 85,000.

The Guardian

Logan has a population of about 6,700.

The New York Times

Greater Ottawa had a population of about 750,000.

The Guardian

Ellicott City has a population of about 65,000.

The Washington Post

New London covers approximately 5.5 square miles, with a population of about 22,300.

The New York Times - Travel

The nearest city, Vernon, is 12 miles away and has a population of about 36,000.

The New York Times

Fifty miles south of Oklahoma City, it has a population of about 1,100.

The New York Times

Oak Harbor is the largest city on Whidbey Island, with a population of about 20,000.

The New York Times

The other two are smaller proximity hospitals, which together serve a population of about 250 000.

Health Economics Review

Pompeii at that time had a population of about 15,000 inhabitants.

Chemistry Central Journal

Here there were four qangmaq with a population of about 18.

Johns Hopkins University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a population of about", ensure that the number you provide is a reasonable estimate. Avoid stating exact figures unless they are verifiable and recent.

Common error

Avoid using outdated or unreliable sources for population data. Always check for recent census data or reputable estimates to ensure accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a population of about" functions as a quantifying phrase, specifying an approximate number for the size of a group. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness. It usually precedes a number, providing an estimation rather than an exact count.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

33%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a population of about" is a grammatically correct and frequently used way to estimate the size of a group or region. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its appropriateness across different writing styles and contexts. When employing this phrase, prioritize accurate and updated population figures. The phrase is versatile enough for both formal reports and informal discussions, making it a valuable tool for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with an estimated population of

Emphasizes the estimation aspect of the population figure.

having a population close to

Indicates a population that is near to a specified number.

approximately populated by

Focuses on the action of being populated rather than the existence of a population.

with a population hovering around

Suggests that the population size is relatively stable near the given number.

a populace of roughly

Replaces "population" with "populace" for a slightly more formal tone.

inhabited by about

Highlights the act of inhabiting rather than the population size itself.

the number of residents is around

Uses "residents" to refer to the population and "around" for approximation.

boasting a population nearing

Adds a sense of pride or impressiveness to the population size.

a community numbering around

Replaces "population" with "community" and uses "numbering" to describe size.

containing a population in the vicinity of

Uses more formal language to indicate approximation.

FAQs

How can I use "a population of about" in a sentence?

You can use "a population of about" to give an approximate number of people living in a specific area. For example: "The town has "a population of about" 10,000 residents."

What is a more formal alternative to "a population of about"?

A more formal alternative would be "an estimated population of". For example: "The region has "an estimated population of" 250,000."

Is it better to use "approximately" or "a population of about"?

Both are correct, but "approximately" is an adverb that modifies a number, while "a population of about" is a phrase used to describe the size of a population. The best choice depends on the sentence structure.

Which is correct: "population of around" or "population of about"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "population of about" is slightly more common and generally preferred in formal writing.