appropriate about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appropriate about" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express suitability or relevance regarding a specific topic, but the construction is awkward and unclear. Example: "The feedback provided was not appropriate about the project's goals."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Congress is expected to appropriate about $2 billion this year.

The New York Times

There is something grimly appropriate about the timing.

The Guardian

There's something appropriate about that too, something right.

The Guardian - Sport

There is something historically appropriate about this company being a merger accounting target.

The New York Times

Still, if there's a blues lite feel to the evening, there's something appropriate about it.

The New York Times

But the pact did not appropriate about $150 million for buying parkland and protecting the environment.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Before the stimulus, Congress had appropriated about $100 million this year for cleanup and "LUST prevention activities".

The New York Times

In the economic stimulus bill passed in February 2009, Congress appropriated about $100 billion in emergency education financing.

The New York Times

Congress has appropriated about $108 million this year and proposed a similar amount for next year, but has made no commitment beyond that.

The New York Times

So far, the Town Council and Board of Finance have appropriated about $576,000 for the sidewalk and utilities work along Bank and Church Streets.

The New York Times

In Georgia, the Legislature appropriates about $700,000 a year for a nonprofit center that employs six lawyers to prepare death penalty appeals.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "appropriate about" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives like "appropriate for", "suitable for", or "relevant to".

Common error

A common mistake is using "about" instead of "for" after "appropriate". Always use "appropriate for" to ensure grammatical correctness. For example, instead of saying "This attire is appropriate about the event", say "This attire is "appropriate for" the event".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appropriate about" typically attempts to function as an adjective describing something suitable or relevant. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is not grammatically sound, and thus its function is impaired.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appropriate about" is frequently used, but deemed grammatically incorrect by Ludwig AI. Its intended meaning centers around suitability or relevance, yet the non-standard construction undermines its grammatical validity. Despite its prevalence in various sources including news and media, it's advisable to use alternatives like "appropriate for", "suitable for", or "relevant to" to ensure clarity and correctness. This analysis highlights that while the phrase is understood, opting for grammatically sound alternatives enhances the quality and credibility of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suitable for

Focuses on the fitness or relevance for a specific purpose or situation, emphasizing suitability.

relevant to

Highlights the connection or pertinence to a particular subject or matter.

fitting for

Emphasizes the appropriateness or suitability based on established norms or expectations.

apt for

Indicates a natural or inherent suitability, suggesting a strong and logical connection.

applicable to

Highlights the practical relevance and usability in a specific context.

germane to

Stresses the close and direct relevance, often in a formal or technical context.

pertinent to

Similar to relevant, but with a stronger emphasis on direct and immediate connection.

appropriate for

Shares the core meaning but uses a more standard and grammatically accepted preposition.

proper for

Implies conformity to established standards of etiquette, morality or procedure.

befitting

Implies something that is suitably respectful or dignified, often used in formal contexts.

FAQs

What is the correct preposition to use with "appropriate"?

The correct preposition to use with "appropriate" is "for", not "about". "Appropriate for" indicates that something is suitable or fitting for a particular purpose or situation.

Is "appropriate about" grammatically correct?

No, "appropriate about" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "appropriate for".

What are some alternatives to using "appropriate about"?

Instead of "appropriate about", consider using phrases like "suitable for", "relevant to", or "fitting for" depending on the context.

How can I ensure I'm using "appropriate" correctly in a sentence?

Double-check that you're using the correct preposition. Use "appropriate for" when indicating suitability. For instance, "This tool is "appropriate for" this task" is correct.