are about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are about" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the subject or theme of a discussion, text, or situation. Example: "The books we read in class are about various cultures and their histories."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We are about there.

The New York Times

Now there are about 1,200.

The New York Times

There are about 80 rides.

The New Yorker

The holidays are about smiles.

The New York Times - Tech

Most arguments are about food".

Independent

ELECTION campaigns are about overselling.

The Economist

"They are about difficult things.

Independent

We are about to see".

The New York Times

"Now there are about three".

The New York Times

There are about 300 Friends.

The New Yorker

Elections are about ideas.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are about" to describe the content of something, ensure that the subject and verb agree in number (e.g., "the books are about history," but "the book is about history").

Common error

Avoid using "is about" when referring to plural subjects. For example, it's incorrect to say "The topics is about...", instead, use "The topics are about..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are about" functions as a linking verb followed by a preposition, connecting the subject to a description of its content, purpose, or nature. It expresses what something concerns or deals with, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are about" functions as a versatile phrase used to define the subject matter, purpose, or nature of something. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in News & Media. While alternatives like "concern", "pertain to", and "deal with" offer similar meanings, "are about" remains a frequently employed and easily understood way to express the central topic of discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concern

This single word conveys the core meaning of "are about" in terms of subject matter but is more concise.

regard

Shorter term with the same meaning.

pertain to

Formal alternative, indicating relevance or connection to a specific topic.

with respect to

A more formal way of expressing concern or connection to a topic.

deal with

Indicates the topic or subject matter being addressed.

in relation to

It's used to show how things are connected.

focus on

Highlights the central theme or point of interest.

touch on

This indicates relevance, usually related to a topic. It is usually followed by a noun or noun phrase.

revolve around

Suggests a central theme or subject that everything else connects to.

connect with

Suggests that something has a association with the object or subject.

FAQs

How to use "are about" in a sentence?

The phrase "are about" indicates the subject or theme. For example, "The discussions "are about" environmental issues" means the discussions concern environmental issues.

What can I say instead of "are about"?

You can use alternatives like "concern", "pertain to", or "deal with" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "the book is about" or "the book are about"?

"The book is about" is correct because "book" is singular. "The books are about" is correct because "books" is plural. Subject-verb agreement is essential.

What's the difference between "are about" and "is about"?

"Are about" is used with plural nouns, while "is about" is used with singular nouns. For example, "The movies "are about" love" versus "The movie "is about" love".