about a middle of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about a middle of" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not a commonly used expression and may confuse readers. A more appropriate phrase would be "around the middle of." Example: "We expect to reach around the middle of the project by next month."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In her first campaign visit to North Carolina today, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton reprised the line about a middle-of-the-night telephone call to the president.

The New York Times

(Twitter was even a point of discussion in the debate itself, when Trump responded to a question about a middle-of-the-night tweet attack with a rambling answer that ended with this undeniable statement: "Tweeting happens to be a modern-day form of communication.... It's a very effective form of communication").

The New Yorker

About in the middle of novel, a second story line emerges: Israel and the Middle East are shaken and largely destroyed by a powerful earthquake.

Huffington Post

On the day we meet he is enthusiastic about an unusual middle-of-the book ad at the top of a double-page spread which he says he's never seen before in newspapers.

The Guardian

He was detained again in June 2008, after he posted an article about a middle school in the town of Hanwang that collapsed in the earthquake.

The New York Times

The crustal thickness beneath the KPR is about 10 km with a middle crust of 2 km.

Earth, Planets and Space

The administration quickly said the vice president was talking about a middle class saddled by the effect of Republican policies from before Mr. Obama's presidency.

The New York Times

He's the star of his own show again – an as yet untitled NBC sitcom about a middle-aged father of three who, conveniently, also suffers from Parkinson's.

The Guardian

They particularly remember the fifth-floor walkup on the East Side, where Ms. Manning was once so terrified by a mouse scurrying about in the middle of the night that her husband thought burglars had broken in.

The New York Times

A certain concentration (about at the middle of linear range) solution of 11 reference compounds was tested.

Chemistry Central Journal

You're really talking about more of a middle class kind of drug user than maybe a homeless person who's addicted to crack or heroin.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use more common and grammatically correct alternatives such as "around the middle of" or "near the middle of" to ensure clarity and avoid potential confusion.

Common error

Avoid combining "about a" with "middle of" as it creates a non-standard construction. Opt for established phrases to maintain grammatical accuracy and enhance readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about a middle of" attempts to function as a prepositional phrase indicating an approximate central location or point in time. However, due to its grammatical incorrectness, it does not effectively fulfill this function. Ludwig AI confirms its incorrectness.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "about a middle of" is not a grammatically sound phrase in standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is incorrect and may confuse readers. More appropriate alternatives include "around the middle of" or "near the middle of", depending on the context. Due to its lack of correct grammatical structure, it should be avoided in formal writing and professional communication. Remember to use established prepositional phrases to ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

around the middle of

Replaces "about a" with "around the", offering a more standard and grammatically sound prepositional phrase.

near the middle of

Substitutes "about a" with "near the", indicating proximity to the center.

close to the middle of

Expands the phrase to emphasize the nearness to the center.

in the vicinity of the middle of

Uses a more formal expression to denote being in the general area of the center.

at approximately the midpoint of

Replaces the phrase with a more precise and technical term for the center.

somewhere in the middle of

Indicates an indefinite position within the central region.

in or around the center of

Offers two options, being directly in the center or nearby.

roughly halfway through

Focuses on the progress or duration rather than a physical middle.

more or less in the middle of

Introduces a degree of uncertainty regarding the exact location.

at about the center of

Focuses on the center location while still conveying the same meaning.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "about a middle of"?

Instead of "about a middle of", consider using more standard phrases like "around the middle of", "near the middle of", or "close to the middle of" depending on the intended nuance.

When is it appropriate to use "about a middle of" in writing?

Due to its non-standard nature, it's generally not advisable to use "about a middle of" in formal or professional writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives for clarity and precision.

Is "about a middle of" grammatically correct?

No, "about a middle of" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. Phrases like "around the middle of" are more appropriate.

How does "about a middle of" differ from "in the middle of"?

"In the middle of" indicates a position directly within something, whereas "about a middle of" (though grammatically incorrect) attempts to approximate that central position. A correct alternative for approximation would be "near the middle of".