an amount about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an amount about" is not correct in standard written English.
It is unclear and does not convey a specific meaning, making it difficult to use effectively in a sentence. Example: "We need to determine an amount about the budget for the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A 16-ounce cup of Starbucks coffee has about 330 milligrams of caffeine, an amount about twice that of some similarly sized energy drinks.

The New York Times

Depending on the available technology and current regulations, about half of the oil there may be recoverable, an amount about equal to the entire world's proven oil reserves.

The New York Times

Keep an amount (about 5%) of funds as unconditional transfer for the most vulnerable or look for tasks that are appropriate for people with disabilities.

The Guardian

Since the establishment of the National Park Service by Woodrow Wilson, the amount of land set aside equals 84 million acres - an amount about equal to half the size of Texas.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

We know an enormous amount about a roundworm, a fly, a fish and a mouse.

BBC

The BFI might be an optimal outcome measurement between multidimensional fatigue measures and a single-item measurement to reveal a tremendous amount about an individual's fatigue status.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Developers know only a little or a fair amount about agile methods.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Yeah, he knows an incredible amount about salmon.

The Guardian - Business

She had read our in-depth home study and knew an incredible amount about us.

The New York Times

Read these stories, and you learn an incredible amount about how the world is put together.

The New Yorker

"He knows an astonishing amount about cutting-edge economic thinking," Sunstein said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to an unspecified or estimated quantity, use more accurate and grammatically sound phrases such as "an approximate amount", "a rough estimate", or "a certain quantity".

Common error

Do not use the phrase "an amount about" as it is not considered standard English. It can lead to confusion and is generally better replaced with a more precise term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an amount about" is intended to function as a quantifier, specifying an inexact quantity. However, it doesn't adhere to standard English grammatical conventions. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is unclear.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an amount about" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and not recommended for use in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. Although it appears in some contexts, such as news and media, more precise and accepted alternatives like "an approximate amount" or "a rough estimate" are preferable. The frequency of "an amount about" is rare, and while its intent is to indicate an estimated quantity, its ungrammatical structure undermines effective communication. Stick to the suggested best practices for clarity and correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an approximate amount

Replaces the vague "about" with a more precise adjective indicating estimation.

a rough estimate of

Uses a noun phrase to convey an imprecise calculation or assessment.

an estimated quantity of

Formalizes the expression by using "quantity" instead of "amount".

an indefinite quantity

Indicates the amount is not clearly defined or known.

a certain amount

Suggests the amount is known, but the speaker is being vague about its exact value.

a particular quantity

Emphasizes specificity, though still not providing an exact number.

a proportion of

Indicates a fractional amount relative to a whole.

a degree of

Abstracts the amount to a qualitative level, such as "a degree of uncertainty".

a semblance of

Implies a minimal or superficial quantity, often used ironically.

an undetermined value

Highlights the unknown or speculative nature of the amount.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to the phrase "an amount about"?

Better alternatives include "an approximate amount", "a rough estimate", or "a certain quantity", depending on the context. You can also consider using "an estimated value" or "an indefinite quantity".

Is "an amount about" grammatically correct?

No, "an amount about" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use more precise and accepted phrases to convey your intended meaning.

How can I use "an approximate amount" in a sentence?

You can use "an approximate amount" in a sentence like this: "We need to allocate "an approximate amount" for marketing expenses."

What's the difference between "an amount about" and "a rough estimate"?

"An amount about" is not standard English, while "a rough estimate" is a common and accepted phrase that means an approximate calculation or assessment.