about three months ago

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about three months ago" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a time period that is approximately three months in the past. Example: "I started my new job about three months ago and I'm really enjoying it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Arts

Magazine

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

I got electricity about three months ago.

The Guardian

About three months ago, he arranged for a personal inspection.

The New York Times

I saw an article in Newsweek about three months ago...

The New York Times

"Just too bad it wasn't about three months ago".

The New York Times

I am 52 and had a horrible ear infection about three months ago.

The New York Times

I got my treadmill desk about three months ago, but I'm still in the announcement phase.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

This is about tomorrow.

The New York Times

Fast forward to about 2003.

The New York Times

It's always about tomorrow.

The New York Times - Sports

Edit count: About 5,000.

BBC

A decade ago, there were about 8,000.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is important, consider providing a more exact date or timeframe rather than using an approximation.

Common error

Avoid using "about three months ago" without a clear reference point. If the context doesn't establish a timeline, it can lead to confusion about which period you're referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about three months ago" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when an action or event occurred. This phrase modifies the verb by providing a temporal context. Ludwig AI also confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Film

6%

Arts

6%

Less common in

Magazine

4%

Food

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "about three months ago" is a grammatically sound and widely used adverbial phrase to indicate an event occurring approximately three months in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While versatile, it's important to ensure contextual clarity and consider more precise alternatives for formal or scientific writing. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, and its neutral register makes it suitable for a broad range of communication, providing a general timeframe without strict precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

three months back

A more concise and informal alternative.

a short time of 3 months prior

This option expresses the duration in a descriptive way, adding emphasis.

approximately 12 weeks prior

Replaces the phrase with a more precise, numerical timeframe.

circa three months earlier

Employs "circa" to indicate approximation, lending a touch of formality.

some 90 days prior

Expresses the duration in days for higher precision.

roughly a quarter of a year earlier

Uses a fraction of a year to denote the period.

in the previous trimester

Employs a trimester-based reference.

prior to the last three months

It is used to provide a formal time frame.

around the time before last

Replaces specific time frame by relative expression.

almost a season ago

Refers to the time using seasonal terminology, providing a less precise but relatable reference.

FAQs

How can I use "about three months ago" in a sentence?

You can use "about three months ago" to indicate an event that occurred approximately three months in the past. For example, "I started learning to play the guitar "about three months ago"."

What's a more formal way to say "about three months ago"?

For a more formal tone, you could say "approximately three months prior" or "roughly 12 weeks prior". These alternatives provide a similar meaning while sounding more professional.

Is it okay to use "about three months ago" in academic writing?

While "about three months ago" is generally acceptable, academic writing often benefits from greater precision. Consider specifying the month or providing a more exact timeframe if possible.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using the phrase "about three months ago"?

A common mistake is using the phrase without establishing a clear reference point in time. Make sure the context clearly indicates when "about three months ago" is relative to.