anent

USAGE SUMMARY

"anent" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to mean "concerning" or "regarding" a particular topic. Example: "The discussion was anent the recent policy changes." Alternative expressions include "regarding" and "concerning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

From: The Dormitory of D.R. To: Miss X [NOT FOR CIRCULATION] You force me to observe, anent your hysteria re lost virginity (see pp. 1-36 of the letter left on my doorstep last night), that not once has the slightest interest been evinced or mention made in reference to my lost virginity.

The New Yorker

The author maintained that fly-fishing was unknown a hundred… "In your edition of May 14th, you carried a very clever & interesting story of my activities, episodes, & adventures as a humanitarium devoting her… Anent your "Notes and Comment," Jan . 29 , 1938

The New Yorker

networks will no longer natter negatively anent Nixon; there will be ping-pong every where & paeans of praise for Padre Peale's power of positive pthinking...but in 1972, Nixon's the one.

The New Yorker

Anent this estimation, I am informed that Jackson mused for a time, then uttered something.

The New Yorker

An autodidact with a fondness for words such as "braggadocio" and "anent," he went on to co-write, with Barbara Becnel, nine children's books decrying the gangster life style.

The New Yorker

It will not contain any of the hackneyed words, hectic, anent, or meticulous.

The New Yorker

Note on the Social Revolution: "It will be noted," says a piece of promotional Cunard-White Star literature anent the Queen Elizabeth, "that once again top class quite properly becomes First Class in name, as it has always been in quality.

The New Yorker

Indeed, its fustian reports anent this and that are almost as remote from modern Scotland as Xenophon's Anabasis.

The Guardian

Bruce Paley Castle Morris, Pembrokeshire A further consideration anent Mr Corbyn is that only once since 1721 have we elected a prime minister with a beard.

The Guardian

A pedant writes: Anent the above, I feel it is incumbent upon me to point out... Smallweed acerbically counters: Don't bother, old fruit.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Insiders said he was likely to split Mr Carter's responsibilities with Jeremy Heywood, Mr Brown's perm-anent secretary.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "anent" when you want to create a specific historical or intellectual tone, as seen in many high-quality journalistic examples.

Common error

Do not use "anent" in casual emails or text messages; it is likely to be misunderstood as a typo for ancient or absent by readers unfamiliar with its specific prepositional use.

Linguistic Context

Grammatically, "anent" functions as a preposition. Its primary role is to establish a relationship between a verb or noun and a following noun phrase, specifically indicating that the statement concerns or relates to that topic. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable term in formal English, acting as a direct synonym for words like regarding or concerning.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Reference

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Social Media

2%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "anent" is a specialized preposition that carries the same meaning as "concerning" or "regarding". While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, its usage is largely restricted to formal, literary and journalistic contexts. The provided examples show a strong preference for this word in high-authority publications like The New Yorker, where it is often used to introduce a specific topic or reference point. While it is a valuable tool for writers aiming for a sophisticated or slightly old-fashioned tone, it should be used with caution in general writing to ensure the audience remains clear on the intent. For most daily communication, "about" remains the preferred choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding

A standard and more common professional alternative.

concerning

Equally direct but slightly more formal than about.

with regard to

A multi-word prepositional phrase often used in business correspondence.

about

The most common and least formal way to express the same relationship.

with respect to

Focuses more on specific details or technical points.

apropos

Often used as a preposition to introduce a relevant topic, similar to the query.

as for

Used specifically to shift the focus to a new subject.

in relation to

Connects two subjects by showing their relevance to each other.

pertaining to

More technical or legalistic in tone.

touching on

Implies a briefer or less exhaustive mention of the subject.

FAQs

How to use anent in a sentence?

You can use it as a preposition to mean concerning. For example: I have a few questions "anent" the new project proposal.

What can I say instead of anent?

Depending on the context, you can use more common alternatives like "regarding", "concerning" or "about".

Is anent a real word or a typo?

It is a legitimate English preposition, though it is considered formal or literary. It is not a typo for "ancient" or "absent".

What is the difference between anent and regarding?

There is no semantic difference; both mean the same thing. However, "regarding" is widely understood in all contexts, while "anent" is primarily found in literary or legalistic writing.