about twenty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about twenty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when estimating a quantity or number that is close to twenty but not exact. Example: "There were about twenty people at the meeting yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

A north wind was blowing about twenty.

HuffPost

"Well, about twenty".

The New Yorker

About twenty years ago".

The New Yorker

About twenty pages.

The New Yorker

Each performance lasts about twenty minutes.

The New Yorker

It's about twenty minutes long.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

He looked about twenty-one.

The New Yorker

He is about forty.

The New Yorker

"He looked about ninety.

The New Yorker

About eight.

The Guardian - Money

That took about two weeks.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "about twenty", ensure the context makes it clear what is being estimated, whether it's a number of people, a length of time, or a measurement. For example, "The meeting lasted about twenty minutes".

Common error

Avoid using "about twenty" when a precise number is known or required. Using an approximation when accuracy is expected can undermine credibility or create confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about twenty" functions as an approximate quantifier. It modifies a noun (implicit or explicit) to indicate an estimated amount around the number twenty. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is used for estimations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "about twenty" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating an approximation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to provide an estimate of quantity, time, or age. Predominantly found in News & Media, it also appears in Academic and Wiki sources. While versatile, it's crucial to consider the context and opt for precise figures when accuracy is paramount. Alternatives such as "approximately twenty" or "around twenty" can be employed for more formal tones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately twenty

Replaces "about" with a more formal synonym, maintaining the approximation.

around twenty

Substitutes "about" with a synonym indicating a similar level of approximation.

roughly twenty

Offers another synonym for "about", suggesting an imprecise estimate.

in the neighborhood of twenty

Provides a more verbose way of expressing an approximate quantity.

in the vicinity of twenty

Similar to "in the neighborhood of", but slightly more formal.

something like twenty

Emphasizes the inexact nature of the estimation.

close to twenty

Indicates the number is near twenty, but not necessarily over or under.

in the ballpark of twenty

An idiomatic expression for approximating a number, often used in informal contexts.

almost twenty

Suggests that the actual number is slightly less than twenty.

a score

An old fashioned way to say twenty, less accurate, more colloquial.

FAQs

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

Use "about twenty" to indicate an approximate quantity, time, or age. For example, "There were about twenty guests at the party", "The flight took about twenty minutes", or "He looked about twenty years old".

What is a more formal alternative to "about twenty"?

A more formal alternative to "about twenty" is "approximately twenty". This substitution maintains the approximate nature of the estimation while using more elevated language.

Is it appropriate to use "about twenty" in academic writing?

While "about twenty" is generally acceptable, using more precise language or a slightly more formal alternative like "approximately twenty" may be preferable in formal academic writing.

What's the difference between "about twenty" and "exactly twenty"?

"About twenty" indicates an estimation or approximation, suggesting the actual number is close to, but not necessarily, twenty. "Exactly twenty" specifies a precise quantity with no room for estimation.