about a hundred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about a hundred" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when estimating a quantity that is close to one hundred, often in informal contexts. Example: "There were about a hundred people at the concert last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

CLARK: About a hundred dollars.

The New Yorker

About a hundred schools shut.

The Economist

About a hundred Ugandans took part.

The New Yorker

It happened about a hundred years ago.

Independent

It's about a hundred acres.

Cornell University

Kunqu flourished for about a hundred years.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

About a hundred and fifty still exist.

The New Yorker

"About a hundred and thirty.

The New Yorker

Maisler: About a hundred and fifty-something.

Cornell University

(Most pros take about a hundred and twenty).

The New Yorker

Lynch left him about a hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about a hundred" when you need to give an approximate number without being overly precise.

Common error

Avoid using "about a hundred" when exact numbers are available or required. Opt for a precise figure when accuracy is crucial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about a hundred" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied noun, indicating an approximate quantity. This usage is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its correctness and common usage for estimations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

18%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "about a hundred" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for approximating a quantity close to one hundred. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's commonly found in news, media, and academic contexts and serves to provide an estimate when exact numbers are not necessary or available. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal settings, with more formal options like "approximately one hundred" available for professional or scientific discourse. When precision is required, using the exact figure is always preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately one hundred

Replaces "about" with a more formal synonym, "approximately".

roughly one hundred

Substitutes "about" with "roughly", offering a slightly less precise estimation.

around one hundred

Uses "around" in place of "about", indicating a similar approximation.

one hundred or so

Adds "or so" to indicate an approximate number around one hundred.

close to one hundred

Emphasizes the proximity to the quantity of one hundred.

nearly one hundred

Highlights that the quantity is just short of one hundred.

in the vicinity of one hundred

Offers a more descriptive and formal alternative to "about a hundred".

in the neighborhood of one hundred

Suggests an approximate quantity similar to "around one hundred".

a hundred give or take

Informally expresses an estimation of around one hundred.

a hundredish

A colloquial and informal way to approximate one hundred.

FAQs

How can I use "about a hundred" in a sentence?

You can use "about a hundred" to estimate a quantity. For example, "There were about a hundred people at the meeting".

What's the difference between "about a hundred" and "approximately one hundred"?

"About a hundred" is more informal, while ""approximately one hundred"" is more formal but convey the same meaning of an estimate.

What can I say instead of "about a hundred"?

You can use alternatives like "roughly one hundred", "around one hundred", or "close to one hundred" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "about 100" instead of "about a hundred"?

Yes, "about 100" is also correct and commonly used, especially in more casual contexts. Both phrases express the same approximate quantity.