about that much

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about that much" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an approximate quantity or extent in a conversation or description. Example: "When asked how much he enjoyed the movie, he simply held his hand up to indicate about that much."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Thirty-eight years later I don't fret about that much any more.

The Guardian - Books

MR. DODD: And that was this whole transaction; this whole SS transaction that this memorandum is about, that much of it is about?

Yale University

While dealers are independent businesses, GM spends about that much money on sales incentives, advertising and other programs intended to prop up its dealer network.

The Washington Post

The industry is right about that much.

The New York Times

Alex Smith didn't have to worry about that much.

The New York Times - Sports

It could be lower by about that much.

The Washington Post

But Roberts said the team don't think about that much.

The Guardian

"When you talk about that much money, I'm not sure anyone is buying it".

The New York Times - Sports

"You know it's not really something I've ever worried about that much," he said.

The New York Times

He's not a guy I think about that much and worry about".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The film talks about that much-used term - "zero waste".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "about that much", ensure the context provides a clear reference point for the quantity being approximated. For instance, after mentioning a specific sum of money, "about that much" becomes a meaningful comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "about that much" without a preceding reference. Saying "It costs about that much" without establishing what "that" refers to can confuse your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about that much" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to indicate an approximate degree, quantity, or extent. It is a common way to express an estimation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "about that much" is a versatile and commonly used adverbial phrase to indicate an approximate quantity or extent. Ludwig AI analysis validates its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral register. To ensure clarity, always provide a clear reference point for "that" to avoid vagueness. When aiming for greater precision or formality, alternatives like "approximately that amount" or "roughly that quantity" can be considered. Remember to provide sufficient context and avoid ambiguity when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately that amount

Replaces "about" with "approximately", providing a slightly more formal tone while keeping the meaning identical.

roughly that quantity

Substitutes both "about" and "much" with "roughly" and "quantity" respectively, emphasizing an estimated amount.

something to that effect

Offers a less direct way of conveying a similar idea, suggesting a general correspondence rather than a precise quantity.

in that ballpark

An idiomatic expression indicating a quantity or degree that is close to a given value.

to that extent

Focuses on the degree or scope of something, implying a similarity in magnitude or effect.

more or less that size

Replaces "much" with "size", useful for describing dimensions or physical quantities, while keeping the meaning of the expression.

of similar proportion

Highlights the relative amount or scale, suitable for comparisons where precise values are less important.

around that figure

Uses 'figure' to replace 'much', usually when referring to a numerical value or statistic.

close to that number

Focuses on proximity to a specific number, useful in contexts where a numerical reference point exists.

almost that level

Indicates that something is near a certain level or standard, without necessarily being exactly the same.

FAQs

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

"About that much" is used to indicate an approximate amount or degree. For example, "I think it will cost "about $100", maybe about that much again for repairs."

What can I say instead of "about that much"?

You can use alternatives like "approximately that amount", "roughly that quantity", or "something to that effect" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "around that much" instead of "about that much"?

Yes, "around that much" is a perfectly acceptable alternative to "about that much". They both convey a similar meaning of approximation.

What's the difference between "that much" and "about that much"?

Adding "about" softens the statement, indicating an estimate rather than a precise figure. "That much" can imply a more definite quantity, while "about that much" introduces uncertainty.