about as to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about as to" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It seems to be a combination of two separate phrases, "about" and "as to," which should not be used together in this way. Example: "I have some questions about the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

In a way they are conceptual paintings, as engaging to think about as to look at.

The New York Times - Arts

So this is a problem that continues to be one that the Japanese have not yet come to a consensus about as to how to resolve.

Columbia University

"He's got to now make a full statement about as to what it was he was doing in Beijing," Dreyfus said on Tuesday.

The Guardian

Cloaked in the low-rent aesthetic of a public television program washed up from the 1950s, Daniel Cockburn's episodic experiment "You Are Here" is as challenging to write about as to decipher.

The New York Times

"The energy installations have been left out of the instability because there is wide recognition about as to how important they are to the economy," said Richard Cochrane, a security analyst at IHS.

The New York Times

This combination of menace and whimsy turned Gucci Mane into something more than a fairly popular rapper: he became a folk hero, the kind of performer who is almost as much fun to talk about as to listen to.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

You can, of course, read books on the subject, but a ready reference tool can be had in this Typography Manual app, which looks about as to-the-point as such things can get.

TechCrunch

Today it costs about as much to connect to Guangdong as it does New Jersey.

The New York Times - Books

THIS dish is about as close to fusion, to "made-up," as I will allow.

The New York Times

The playwright finds genius something to laugh about as well as to celebrate.

The New York Times

They found some similarities: newcomers tend to be about as likely to live in social housing as natives.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "about as to" in your writing; it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Opt for clearer and more accepted alternatives such as "regarding" or "concerning."

Common error

Many writers mistakenly combine "about" and "as to" in an attempt to sound formal, especially when introducing a topic or providing clarification. This results in grammatically unsound sentences. Always choose one preposition or the other to maintain clarity and correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about as to" incorrectly combines two prepositions, "about" and "as to", disrupting grammatical structure. Ludwig AI identifies this as grammatically incorrect, advising against its use and recommending alternatives like "regarding" or "concerning".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

8%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "about as to" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in favor of clearer alternatives. Ludwig AI flags it as such, recommending options like "regarding" or "concerning" for improved clarity and correctness. Despite its appearance in some news and media sources, its incorrect structure undermines its effectiveness in formal and professional contexts. It's best to opt for standard prepositions to maintain credibility and ensure accurate communication. The phrase's intended purpose, to introduce topics or provide clarification, is better served by grammatically sound alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding

Replaces "about as to" with a simpler preposition indicating subject matter.

concerning

Similar to 'regarding', offering a direct way to introduce a topic.

with respect to

More formal alternative that clarifies the focus of discussion.

in relation to

Emphasizes a connection or comparison between subjects.

as regards

A slightly archaic but valid alternative for 'regarding'.

in terms of

Focuses on specific aspects or conditions being discussed.

pertaining to

Indicates direct relevance to the topic.

relating to

Highlights the act of connecting information.

on the subject of

More verbose, emphasizing the topic under consideration.

apropos of

A more sophisticated way to introduce a related subject.

FAQs

Is "about as to" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "about as to" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use "about", "regarding", or "concerning" instead.

What can I use instead of "about as to"?

Alternatives include "regarding", "concerning", or "with respect to" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "about" versus "as to"?

"About" is used to indicate the subject of something, while "as to" introduces a specific point or question. The combination "about as to" is redundant and incorrect. For example, use "questions about the project" or "clarity as to the next steps".

Which is correct, "information about" or "information as to"?

"Information about" is generally preferred for general topics. "Information as to" is sometimes used to introduce a specific detail or aspect, but "about" is often clearer and more concise. Avoid "about as to" altogether.