around about

USAGE SUMMARY

"around about" is a valid phrase in written English.
It is typically used as an adverb to indicate approximate time or location. For example, you could say, "We should be there around about 10pm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm happy but nothing to jump around about," said Raikkonen.

BBC

There were rumors going around about him.

The New York Times

Headhunters are once again calling around about new jobs.

The Economist

"That stopped around about 8.30 on Wednesday evening.

Independent

(3) statistically around about 100% of those people are women.

Harvard University

So there's around about 50-60 GPUs worth of compute.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Athletes like her come around about every 100 years".

The Guardian

Audience members and television crews milled around about them.

The New York Times

Everything seems to go back to around about then.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

There are a lot of old rules floating around about emergency funds.

The New York Times

That's around about 60 miles per side.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "around about", consider whether a more precise term would enhance clarity, especially in formal writing. While acceptable, overusing approximations can make your writing seem vague.

Common error

Avoid using "around about" excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise alternatives like "approximately" or "in the vicinity of" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around about" functions as an adverbial modifier, primarily indicating approximation. Ludwig examples showcase its use to estimate quantities, times, and locations, adding a degree of vagueness. Ludwig AI classifies it as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

24%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "around about" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to indicate approximation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and examples show its common use across various contexts, especially in news, media, and informal settings. While versatile, it's less suitable for formal or scientific writing where precision is paramount. When a more professional tone is needed, "approximately" or "in the vicinity of" are better choices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately

This is a more formal synonym emphasizing a close estimation without being exact.

roughly

Indicates an estimate that is not precise, similar to "around about" but slightly less informal.

in the vicinity of

Suggests a location or quantity that is near a specific point but not exactly at it.

in the neighborhood of

Similar to "in the vicinity of", emphasizing proximity rather than exactness.

give or take

Emphasizes a possible small variance from an estimated number or time.

or so

A simple way to indicate an approximate quantity or time, slightly more informal.

close to

Indicates nearness in value, amount, or time, without specifying exactness.

nearly

Implies that something is close to being a particular value or reaching a specific point.

almost

Suggests approaching a value, time or position but not quite reaching it.

in the ballpark of

Informal term indicating that something falls within a certain range or estimation.

FAQs

How can I use "around about" in a sentence?

You can use "around about" to indicate an approximate time, quantity, or location. For example: "The meeting will start "approximately" 10 AM" or "There were "approximately" 50 people at the event".

What phrases are similar to "around about"?

Similar phrases include "approximately", "roughly", "in the vicinity of", and "or so". The choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to use "approximately" or "around about"?

"Approximately" is generally more formal and precise. "Around about" is more conversational. Use "approximately" in formal writing and reports, while "around about" is fine in casual conversation.

When should I avoid using "around about"?

Avoid using "around about" in contexts that require precision, such as scientific reports, legal documents, or financial statements. In these cases, opt for more exact language or specific ranges.