about something

USAGE SUMMARY

"about something" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used in various ways, such as: 1. As a prepositional phrase indicating the topic or subject of a sentence: - The book is about something completely different. - We need to have a serious conversation about something important. 2. As a phrasal verb meaning to be concerned or interested in something: - She's really passionate about creating positive change in the world. - They're not too worried about what others think of them. 3. As an idiomatic expression meaning "nearly" or "approximately": - The project will cost about something between $500 and $700. - The event drew about something 100 attendees. Example sentence: The students had a heated discussion about something that happened during the school's assembly.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Think about something unique.

WikiHow

He cares about something.

The New Yorker

Be unique about something.

The New York Times

It's about something else.

The New York Times - Arts

It's about something bigger".

The New Yorker

"Suddenly it's about something else.

The New York Times - Magazine

Beethoven is really about something.

The New Yorker

It is actually about something".

The New York Times - Arts

Everyone is passionate about something".

The New York Times - Tech

About something besides a man".

The New York Times

Everyone is scared about something.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "about something", ensure the context clearly indicates what that 'something' is. Avoid vague references that leave the reader guessing.

Common error

Avoid using "about something" without providing sufficient context. Be specific about the topic or issue you're referencing to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about something" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb, noun, or adjective to specify the topic, focus, or subject matter. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "about something" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate the subject, focus, or topic under consideration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Wiki sources. While generally neutral in register, clarity is key: ensure the 'something' is well-defined. Alternatives like "regarding a matter" or "concerning an issue" can offer more specificity, but "about something" remains a concise and effective way to introduce a subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

related to a thing

Uses 'thing' which is more general than "something".

regarding a matter

Focuses on the 'matter' aspect, making it slightly more formal.

pertaining to a subject

Emphasizes the 'subject' being discussed or related to.

concerning an issue

Highlights the 'issue' component, implying a problem or topic of concern.

in reference to a topic

Highlights that something is 'referencing' to another topic.

with respect to a point

Emphasizes a specific 'point' or detail being considered.

in connection with a detail

Highlights something has a 'connection' with a detail.

on the subject of a theme

Highlights a specific 'theme' being considered.

apropos of a question

More formal and highlights a specific 'question' asked.

in relation to a facet

More formal and specific, indicating a particular 'facet' or aspect.

FAQs

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

You can use "about something" to indicate the topic of discussion, concern, or interest. For example: "The article is about something completely new" or "Are you worried about something?".

What are some alternatives to "about something"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "regarding a matter", "concerning an issue", or "pertaining to a subject".

Is it grammatically correct to say "about something"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. However, ensure that the context is clear and the "something" is either explicitly mentioned or easily understood.

What's the difference between "about something" and "about everything"?

"About something" refers to a specific topic, issue, or concern, whereas "about everything" refers to all topics, issues, or concerns. For example, worrying "about something" means you are concerned about a particular thing, while worrying "about everything" means you are generally anxious.