around thirty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around thirty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when estimating a quantity or age that is approximately thirty. Example: "There were around thirty people at the event last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Life expectancy was around thirty.

The New Yorker

Last time we checked, the much-buzzed about startup had around thirty employees, with many others hoping to join.

TechCrunch

A one-hour movie takes around thirty minutes to convert to mpeg-4.

WikiHow

Around thirty states currently allow some version of expungement.

The New Yorker

He was dark-skinned, around thirty, well fed.

The New Yorker

But you try and Ajax around thirty moody rattlers.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

He was around forty.

The New Yorker

Normal is around five.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Dubrovnik tour lasts around three hours.

Independent

Prediction: Gloucester by around seven points.

BBC

Around five".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "around thirty" when an exact number is not known or not important, and an approximation is sufficient. This is common when estimating quantities, ages, or durations.

Common error

Avoid using "around thirty" when the exact number is known and readily available. If you know there are exactly 30 items, state "thirty" rather than using an approximation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around thirty" functions as an approximative quantifier, indicating an estimated quantity close to the number thirty. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples, showing its role in describing approximate amounts or ages.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

23%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "around thirty" serves as a common and acceptable way to express an approximate quantity or age. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and general writing. While more precise alternatives like "approximately thirty" exist for formal settings, "around thirty" remains a versatile and readily understood expression for conveying estimates. To avoid misuse, ensure an approximation is truly intended and appropriate given the context. Remember, the goal is clarity and relevance!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately thirty

Replaces "around" with a more formal synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

about thirty

Uses a more casual synonym for "around", indicating an approximation.

roughly thirty

Uses "roughly" as a synonym for "around", indicating an estimate.

thirty or so

A common and informal way to express an approximate quantity.

in the neighborhood of thirty

A more descriptive and emphatic way to express an approximate quantity.

in the vicinity of thirty

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

close to thirty

Indicates that the actual number is near thirty.

something like thirty

Suggests an approximate amount, allowing for some variation.

in the ballpark of thirty

An idiomatic expression indicating an approximate amount.

thirtyish

An informal way to indicate an approximate age or quantity close to thirty.

FAQs

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

You can use "around thirty" to indicate an approximate quantity or age. For example, "There were "around thirty" people at the meeting" or "He looks "around thirty" years old".

What's a more formal alternative to "around thirty"?

A more formal alternative to "around thirty" is "approximately thirty". This phrase is suitable for academic or professional writing where precision is valued.

Is it correct to say "around thirty people"?

Yes, it is perfectly correct to say "around thirty people". The phrase is commonly used to indicate an estimated number of people.

Which is more precise: "around thirty" or "exactly thirty"?

"Exactly thirty" is more precise. "Around thirty" indicates an approximation, while "exactly thirty" indicates a precise count.