about a story

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about a story" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the subject matter or theme of a narrative or tale. Example: "The book is about a story of friendship and adventure that spans generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or if you can't, how about a story featuring a stepmother.

The Guardian

If you're not feeling like writing articles, how about a story?

WikiHow

It's about a story.

The New York Times - Sports

A story about a story, rumour about a rumour.

The Guardian - Sport

What about a story makes you want to comment?

The Guardian - Opinion

To think about a story rather than just be a stenographer of reality.

The New York Times

David Grann wrote about a story with a similar twist in Guatemala.

The New Yorker

Spurrier complained about a story Morris had written over the summer.

The New York Times

So we are reading a story about a story about a story about a film about a house with a black hole in it.

The New York Times - Books

Tells about a story in the Detroit News on unemploymentNthe situation is getting desperate in and around Detroit.

The New Yorker

If he befriended them, they'd call and complain about a story, or pressure him to run a different story.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about a story" to introduce the central theme or subject matter you intend to discuss or analyze. For example: "This article is "about a story" of resilience and hope."

Common error

Avoid using "about a story" in extremely formal or academic writing where more precise or sophisticated phrasing is expected. Consider alternatives like "concerning a narrative" or "regarding the account of" for a more elevated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about a story" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often used to introduce or describe the subject matter or theme of a narrative. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correctly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "about a story" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase used to introduce the topic or theme of a narrative. As Ludwig AI validates, it’s appropriate for various contexts, predominantly in news, media, and general writing. While generally neutral in tone, consider more formal alternatives for highly academic settings. When writing, use "about a story" to clearly signal the central theme you intend to discuss. Be mindful of the overall tone and adjust your phrasing to suit the formality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concerning a narrative

Emphasizes the narrative aspect, providing a more formal tone.

regarding a tale

Uses "tale" instead of "story", slightly altering the connotation to suggest a more traditional or fictional narrative.

relating to a narrative

Highlights the connection to a broader narrative context.

pertaining to a story

Introduces a legal or formal tone, emphasizing the relevance to a specific story.

in connection with a story

Focuses on the association or link to a particular story.

on the subject of a story

Clearly defines the topic as a story, suitable for formal discussions.

dealing with a story

Highlights the act of handling or addressing a story, often in a problem-solving context.

concerning the story of

Similar to "concerning a narrative", but specifying "the story of" to denote a particular account.

with reference to a story

Implies citing or alluding to a story as evidence or support.

on the topic of a story

Similar to "on the subject of a story", but slightly more conversational.

FAQs

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

You can use "about a story" to introduce the topic or theme of a narrative. For example, "The film is "about a story" of love and loss."

What phrases are similar to "about a story"?

Similar phrases include "concerning a narrative", "regarding a tale", or "relating to a narrative", which can be used depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the book is about a story"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase is often used to describe the subject matter of a book or film. However, consider "concerning the plot" for additional precision.

When should I use "about a story" versus "concerning a story"?

"About a story" is generally more informal. "Concerning a story" implies a more formal or professional context, suitable for academic or business discussions.