about that guy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about that guy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific male individual in a conversation or narrative, often to introduce a topic related to him. Example: "I heard some interesting news about that guy who just moved in next door."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

I forgot about THAT guy".

The New York Times - Books

"OK, then how about that guy from Jackass?" he suggested.

Vice

What about that guy?

The New York Times

"About that guy Sanjeev.

The New Yorker

You don't hear much about that guy.

The New York Times

I want to see a whole series about that guy"?

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Share your thoughts, opinions, etc. but try not to talk about stuff that guys aren't interested in.

WikiHow

Sorry about that, guys!

Vice

Watch the game close so if one of his teammates missed an opportunity he gave them, talk about that, guys love when you feed their ego.

WikiHow

Which is why the conversations are so human - they're filled with factual errors, half-remembered statistics, and lots of "you know who I'm talking about - that guy... ..

Huffington Post

We can talk about that if you guys are interested.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when using "about that guy"; in more formal settings, a more specific reference may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "about that guy" in highly formal or academic writing. Instead, opt for clearer and more specific references such as "the aforementioned individual" or "the subject of this study".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about that guy" functions as a prepositional phrase functioning as an adverbial modifier, often used to introduce a topic or a question related to a specific male individual previously mentioned or known. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "about that guy" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to refer to a specific male individual already known in the context of the conversation. Ludwig AI analysis shows that it functions as an adverbial modifier, frequently appearing in News & Media. While generally neutral, its informality suggests it's best suited for casual conversations and less formal writing. For more formal settings, consider using specific names or titles instead of the pronoun. Remember to consider audience and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what about him

Direct and concise way to ask about the man.

regarding him

Very similar to "concerning him" but focuses on the information being related.

regarding that man

Formal alternative using "regarding" instead of "about".

concerning him

More formal way to indicate the topic is related to that guy

concerning that fellow

More formal and slightly archaic alternative to "about that guy".

in relation to that man

Formal alternative using "in relation to" instead of "about".

in reference to him

More detached and objective way to refer to the man.

referring to that person

More neutral alternative if the gender is not relevant or known.

speaking of that individual

More formal way to introduce the topic of the man.

as for that chap

Informal and slightly British alternative to "about that guy".

FAQs

How can I use "about that guy" in a sentence?

You can use "about that guy" to refer back to a specific person previously mentioned, like in the sentence, "I was wondering what happened "about that guy" from the office who always wore a hat."

Is "about that guy" considered formal or informal?

"About that guy" is generally considered informal and is more suitable for casual conversations than formal writing. Use more formal alternatives like "regarding that man" or "concerning that individual" in professional settings.

What's a more specific alternative to "about that guy"?

Instead of saying ""about that guy"", you can use a more specific reference like "the professor", "John Smith", or "the company's CEO" to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity.

When is it appropriate to use "about that guy"?

It's best to use "about that guy" in casual conversations or informal settings when the person being referred to is already known to the listener or reader. In more formal contexts, it's better to use a proper name or title.