around a twenty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around a twenty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when estimating a quantity, typically referring to a number close to twenty, often in informal contexts. Example: "There were around a twenty people at the event, which was more than we expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Last year, eBuddy was reportedly shopping around a twenty percent at a total valuation of $100 million, which seems to line up with this deal.

TechCrunch

Updated at 6.22pm BST 6.16pm BST Oxford pass the Stag Brewery, now almost ten lengths clear... 6.16pm BST Around a twenty second gap as the two crews pass under Barnes Bridge.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"You can turn around a one or two-goal deficit, but three is tough".

BBC

Implementing these ideas place estimates at extending human life to around a thousand years.

Huffington Post

"Mine's around a six".

The New Yorker

I could have managed around a hundred.

Independent

"Around a hundred and fifty thousand," Schmidt said.

The New Yorker

Now their progeny number around a thousand.

The New York Times - Travel

Today, there are around a million.

The Guardian

Around a hundred million people live there.

The New Yorker

Glück owns around a hundred and fifty Hermès scarves.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "around a twenty", ensure the context is informal, as more precise or formal situations may benefit from using "approximately twenty".

Common error

Avoid using "around a twenty" in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for phrases like "approximately twenty" or "about twenty" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around a twenty" functions as an approximator, modifying a noun by indicating an estimated quantity. It suggests a number close to twenty, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "around a twenty" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate an approximate quantity close to twenty. According to Ludwig AI, it’s suitable for informal contexts. While grammatically sound, using more precise alternatives like "approximately twenty" might be preferable in formal writing. Primarily found in news and media sources, the phrase serves to provide an estimate rather than a definitive number. Therefore, considering the context is crucial when choosing to use "around a twenty".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately twenty

Replaces the 'around a' with a more formal adverb indicating approximation.

about twenty

Uses a simpler, more common preposition to indicate approximation.

roughly twenty

Similar to 'approximately', but with a slightly less formal tone.

in the neighborhood of twenty

Offers a more descriptive and slightly more emphatic approximation.

in the vicinity of twenty

Similar to 'in the neighborhood of', but slightly more formal.

nearly twenty

Indicates the quantity is close to but not quite twenty.

almost twenty

Similar to 'nearly twenty', emphasizing closeness to the specified number.

something like twenty

Introduces a more casual tone, suggesting the number is not precise.

in the ballpark of twenty

An idiomatic expression indicating a rough estimate.

give or take a few of twenty

Explicitly acknowledges a potential margin of error around the number.

FAQs

What does "around a twenty" mean?

It means approximately twenty. It's a way of estimating a number, suggesting it's close to, but not necessarily exactly, twenty.

What can I say instead of "around a twenty"?

You can use alternatives like "approximately twenty", "about twenty", or "roughly twenty" depending on the context.

Is "around a twenty" grammatically correct?

Yes, "around a twenty" is grammatically correct, although it's more common in informal contexts. Ludwig AI suggests that its AI Response Status is correct.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "around a twenty"?

It is best used in informal conversations or writing where a precise number is not necessary. For more formal settings, consider using "approximately twenty".