around twelve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around twelve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an approximate time or quantity, often in informal contexts. Example: "Let's meet for lunch around twelve, if that works for you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

So the average ad-recall measurement is low"—around twelve per cent.

The New Yorker

The planter called the importer and invited him to dinner the next day, saying: "I eat around twelve.

The New Yorker

At the time, the infant nation's most populous state had around twelve times as many people as its least populous.

The New Yorker

The video shoot took around twelve hours.

Wikipedia

There were around twelve submissions, including songs from Swan Lee, Pulp, Saint Etienne, Marc Almond, and Sheryl Crow.

Wikipedia

Six people is a good minimum, but the best games have around twelve.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

At 10 P.M. on July 20 , 1969 aSunday—around twelve hundred people stood in the rain at the intersection of Fiftieth Street and Sixth Avenue.

The New Yorker

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "around twelve" when an exact number is not known or not important. It is suitable for general communication where precision is not critical.

Common error

Avoid using "around twelve" when precise figures are required, such as in scientific data or financial reports. In such cases, provide the exact number or a more specific range.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around twelve" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a noun or verb to indicate an approximate quantity or time. Ludwig examples demonstrate this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

24%

The New Yorker

20%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Huffington Post

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "around twelve" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate an approximate quantity or time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves as an adverbial phrase and is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki content. While generally acceptable, more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or professional contexts. When precision is needed, avoid using "around twelve" and provide exact numbers or specific ranges instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately twelve

Uses a more formal adverb to convey the same meaning of an approximate number.

about twelve

Employs a simpler preposition to indicate approximation.

close to twelve

Indicates nearness to the number twelve.

in the vicinity of twelve

A more formal and precise way of expressing approximation.

in the neighborhood of twelve

Similar to "in the vicinity of", but slightly less formal.

something like twelve

Indicates an estimated quantity with some uncertainty.

more or less twelve

Indicates that the quantity is generally twelve, but not exactly.

give or take twelve

Suggests a range around the number twelve, allowing for slight variations.

nearly twelve

Suggests a quantity slightly less than twelve.

almost twelve

Similar to "nearly twelve", indicating a quantity approaching twelve.

FAQs

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

You can use "around twelve" to indicate an approximate quantity or time. For example, "The meeting will start "around twelve" o'clock" or "There were "around twelve" people at the party.

What's the difference between "around twelve" and "exactly twelve"?

"Around twelve" implies an approximation, while "exactly twelve" indicates a precise number. Use "around twelve" when the exact number is not known or not crucial, and "exactly twelve" when precision is necessary.

What can I say instead of "around twelve"?

You can use alternatives like "approximately twelve", "about twelve", or "close to twelve" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "around twelve" in formal writing?

While acceptable, "around twelve" is generally more informal. In formal writing, consider using "approximately twelve" or a more precise range if possible.