about who

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about who" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a topic or subject related to a person or group of people. Example: "The discussion was primarily about who would take the lead on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Be smart about who you hire.

WikiHow

Be wise about who you choose.

WikiHow

"It's about who wins".

The New York Times

Discussions about who is "D.

The New Yorker

It's not about who we play".

The New York Times - Sports

1) Be clear about who you are.

The Guardian

It's about who is using them".

The New York Times

That says something about who we are.

The New York Times

– about who wrote Shakespeare.

The Guardian - Books

About who I am".

The Guardian - Music

"It's not about who owns the factory.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "about who", ensure the sentence maintains clarity and grammatical correctness, especially in formal writing where "about whom" may be preferred.

Common error

Avoid using "about who" in highly formal writing; instead, opt for "about whom" to maintain grammatical precision and adhere to traditional English usage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about who" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, introducing a clause or question that concerns a person or persons. Ludwig confirms its usage in English writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "about who" is a grammatically acceptable prepositional phrase used to introduce discussions or questions concerning specific people. While Ludwig confirms its usability, formal contexts might favor "about whom". Its occurrence is common across News & Media, Wiki, and Science sources. When writing, consider context and formality to ensure appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding whom

Formal alternative using 'whom' to indicate the object of the preposition.

concerning whom

A more formal alternative to 'about who', indicating the subject of discussion.

in relation to whom

Emphasizes a connection or relationship to a specific person.

with respect to whom

Highlights a specific consideration or perspective regarding a person.

as regards who

Similar to 'about who', but with a slightly more formal tone.

pertaining to who

Indicates relevance or connection to a person.

in terms of who

Focuses on identifying a specific person within a particular context.

on the subject of who

Introduces a discussion or topic centered on a specific person.

relative to who

Highlights a comparison or relationship involving a particular person.

regarding the individual

Rephrases 'about who' to focus more explicitly on an individual person.

FAQs

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

You can use "about who" to introduce a question or discussion concerning a person or group of people. For example, "The discussion was primarily about who would take the lead on the project."

What's the difference between "about who" and "about whom"?

"About who" is generally used in informal contexts, while "about whom" is the grammatically correct form for formal writing. The choice depends on the level of formality required.

What can I say instead of "about who"?

You can use alternatives like "regarding who", "concerning who", or "in relation to who" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "about who" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "about who" is sometimes considered less formal than "about whom". Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, but context should guide the choice.