above about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "above about" can be correct and usable in written English, although it may need to be used in a specific context.
It is typically used to refer to information or details that are mentioned above or earlier in the sentence or text. Here is an example sentence: "As mentioned above, I will be attending the conference about sustainable development, and I plan to share my experiences with my colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A porcelain parrot, above, about three feet tall ($14,000), is from Meissen, the German company.

The New York Times

And there were, like, as I said above, about forty of them.

The New Yorker

Including the above, about 160 species of birds once lived in these eastern forests.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The second region occurs above about x = 0.7 where significantly higher impedance properties are found.

Electrochimica Acta

Of course, no one can prove the above about any two people.

Huffington Post

Actually, I wrote all of the above about Bob Dole during his 1996 presidential campaign.

Huffington Post

Having said the above about privilege, this is, of course, only half the equation.

Huffington Post

Above about 500ft we're all children again.

Independent

Dolphins, known for their keen sense of hearing, can't hear above about 160 kilohertz.

The New York Times - Science

Neutrons whose kinetic energy is above about 1 keV are generally classified as fast neutrons.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Beach nourishment won't be sufficient for S.L.R. above about one foot," he replied.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "above about", ensure the context clearly indicates that you're referring to a value or position that is both higher than and approximately at a specific point. For example: "The temperature was above about 25 degrees Celsius."

Common error

Avoid using "above about" when referring to general concepts or situations. This phrase is most appropriate for numerical data or measurements. Using it in non-numerical contexts can lead to confusion and awkward phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "above about" functions as an approximate quantifier, indicating a value that is greater than and roughly equal to a specified amount. It modifies numerical data by adding a level of estimation. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is usable, and is often found in scientific or reporting contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "above about" is grammatically correct and serves as an approximate quantifier, indicating that a value is greater than and roughly equal to a specified amount. Ludwig confirms that is a valid expression.

Usage is relatively uncommon but acceptable, primarily found in scientific, news, and encyclopedia sources. When writing, ensure that you use "above about" in numerical contexts to avoid misuse. Alternatives like "approximately above" or "greater than roughly" may provide similar meaning. It's important to note Ludwig's analysis confirms that usage is appropriate, despite being infrequent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately above

Emphasizes the approximate nature of the upper limit.

over approximately

A more concise way of saying "above approximately".

more than approximately

Emphasizes that the quantity is greater than the stated approximation.

in excess of approximately

Adds extra emphasis to the concept of 'more than'.

greater than roughly

Replaces "about" with "roughly", maintaining a similar level of informality.

exceeding roughly

Similar meaning, but replaces "above" with "exceeding".

beyond approximately

Expresses surpassing an approximate value.

roughly in excess of

Emphasizes the rough estimate of exceeding a value.

surpassing roughly

Implies going beyond an estimated limit.

in excess of more or less

Utilizes the phrase "more or less" to convey a level of approximation.

FAQs

What does the phrase "above about" mean?

The phrase "above about" indicates a value or quantity that is greater than and approximately equal to a specific point. It suggests an estimation above a certain threshold.

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

You can use "above about" to describe values exceeding an approximate number, for instance, "The cost is "more than approximately" $100" or "The speed was "over approximately" 60 mph".

Which is a better alternative to "above about"?

Alternatives like "approximately above", "greater than roughly" or "over approximately" can be used, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What are common mistakes when using "above about"?

A common mistake is using "above about" in non-numerical contexts. This phrase should primarily be used when referring to numerical data, measurements, or quantities. In other situations, consider a more general term like "regarding details" mentioned earlier.