about

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a preposition, adverb, and adjective to mean "concerning" or "having to do with," or "almost" or "approximately." Example sentence: I'm writing about my summer vacation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What's it about?

The New York Times

In the same way, silence about male victims reinforces unhealthy expectations about men and their supposed invulnerability.

The New York Times

That seems about right.

The New York Times

We won't be able to provide Christmas lunch for the homeless now and about 50 people who were sleeping here will be homeless over Christmas.

The Guardian

But what about others?

The Economist

"I try not to think about it too much.

The New York Times

Two were given a gel containing PRO 2000 (in different concentrations for each group), along with advice about how to use it, a regular supply of condoms and counselling on safe sexual practice and sexual health.

The Economist

Unlike the most reliable form of protection, a condom, it is the woman, not the man, who makes the ultimate choice about whether to use the gel.

The Economist

Sorry about that.

The New York Times - Sports

Think about that for a moment.

The New York Times

"I think it's for women to make a choice about what clothes they wish to wear, if they wish to wear a veil that is for a woman to make a choice.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "about" to indicate approximation, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "about 10 people" is clearer than simply saying "about".

Common error

Avoid using "about" excessively in sentences where it adds little to no meaning. For example, instead of saying "I was thinking about maybe going", try "I was considering going".

Linguistic Context

The word "about" functions primarily as a preposition, indicating a relationship of concern, relevance, or subject matter. It can also function as an adverb to mean approximately or nearly. Examples from Ludwig showcase its versatility in different contexts. Ludwig AI confirms the accuracy of these usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "about" is a versatile word serving as a preposition, adverb, and adjective. It is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig. While it is generally neutral in register, you can use "about" to indicate approximation or concern, it is important to use it correctly. As Ludwig AI shows, carefully follow some recommendations to prevent overuse in writing. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "regarding", "concerning", or "approximately", depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately

Indicates a degree of nearness to a number or quantity, similar to "about" when used for estimation.

regarding

Focuses on the subject matter being discussed, akin to "about" when used to introduce a topic.

concerning

Emphasizes the relevance or connection to a particular subject, similar to "about" in thematic contexts.

in relation to

Highlights the connection or association with something else, like "about" when establishing a link.

close to

Indicates proximity, similar to the adverbial use of "about" to mean nearly or almost.

nearly

Suggests a degree of approximation, mirroring "about" when quantifying or estimating.

in the vicinity of

Refers to a surrounding area or nearness, akin to "about" when denoting a location or range.

on the subject of

Directly addresses the topic being discussed, echoing "about" when used to introduce a theme.

almost

Expresses a near state or condition, resembling "about" when used to indicate approximation.

just about

Highlights a near or approximate state, similar to "about" when qualifying an action or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "about" in a sentence?

You can use "about" as a preposition to mean concerning, for example, "I'm reading a book about history". It can also be used as an adverb to mean approximately, as in "It's about five miles away", or as an adjective like in the sentence "He is out and about".

What can I say instead of "about" when discussing a topic?

Depending on the context, you can use "regarding", "concerning", or "on the subject of".

Is it correct to say "I'm thinking to" or "I'm thinking about"?

"I'm thinking about" is generally the correct phrasing in English. While "I'm thinking to" might be acceptable in some dialects, "I'm thinking about" is more widely recognized and understood.

What's the difference between "about" and "around" when indicating approximation?

Both "about" and "around" can indicate approximation, but "about" is often used for more precise estimates, while "around" can imply a less exact figure. For instance, "about 10 people" suggests a number closer to 10 than "around 10 people".