around three months

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around three months" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when estimating a duration of time that is approximately three months, often in informal contexts. Example: "The project is expected to take around three months to complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The Ofcom investigation will focus on potential invasion of privacy and will likely take around three months, a spokesman said.

The New York Times

While this expert group is working (it could take around three months) the MHRA will authorise further trials of compounds of this kind only after taking advice.

The Economist

According to Danglo, it took around three months to complete.

Vice

She was forced to return to the navy yard, where she was placed in drydock again for repairs which took around three months.

Wikipedia

In middle-adulthood, those working and diagnosed with colorectal cancer can expect to take around three months off work.

BMC Public Health

Life expectancy is rising by around three months every year.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Below are a few photos of the two during the incident, which occurred around three months ago: .

Huffington Post

It opened around three months ago.

The Guardian - Travel

In addition, Amazon launched a new diaper pail refill ASIN around three months ago.

TechCrunch

"Wow, this is embarrassing," the Nike Running rep wrote on Facebook around three months ago.

TechCrunch

So bold, one might wish he had done so around three months ago (sigh).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "around three months", ensure the context implies an estimation, not an exact duration. If precision is needed, specify the exact number of days or weeks.

Common error

Avoid using "around three months" when precision is required. This phrase suggests an approximation, so using it in contexts demanding accuracy can mislead the reader. Instead, provide the exact duration or use phrases like "approximately three months" if precision is not critical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around three months" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating the approximate duration of an event or process. As shown by Ludwig, it specifies a timeframe in an inexact manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "around three months" is a common and grammatically sound way to express an approximate duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts but is best used when an estimation is sufficient rather than an exact measurement. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Science and Wiki contexts. When writing, remember that if you're giving an approximate duration for a time frame it should be "around three months", not "around three month". Consider using alternatives like "approximately three months" or "about three months" to suit the specific tone and context of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately three months

Replaces "around" with a more formal synonym, indicating an estimated duration.

about three months

Uses a simpler synonym for "around", maintaining the approximate timeframe.

roughly three months

Emphasizes the inexact nature of the duration.

close to three months

Highlights that the duration is near the three-month mark.

almost three months

Similar to "just shy of", emphasizing nearness to the three-month mark.

in the neighborhood of three months

A more verbose way of expressing an approximate duration.

a period of about ninety days

Converts the duration to days, while maintaining approximation.

in the vicinity of three months

Uses "vicinity" to indicate an approximate duration.

just shy of three months

Indicates that the duration is slightly less than three months.

a three-month timeframe

Focuses on the existence of a timeframe that is approximately three months long.

FAQs

How can I use "around three months" in a sentence?

You can use "around three months" to estimate a duration, as in "The project is expected to take "around three months" to complete" or "Recovery from the surgery will take "around three months"".

What are some alternatives to saying "around three months"?

Alternatives include "approximately three months", "about three months", or "roughly three months". The best choice depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it correct to say "around three month" instead of "around three months"?

No, it is grammatically incorrect. You should always use the plural form "months" because you are referring to a duration that encompasses more than one month. The correct phrase is ""around three months"".

What's the difference between "around three months" and "exactly three months"?

"Around three months" implies an estimation, suggesting the duration is close to but not necessarily precisely three months. "Exactly three months" indicates a precise duration of three months, with no deviation.