balance about

USAGE SUMMARY

"balance about" is not a correct part of a sentence.
It is not a commonly used phrase in written English. Instead, you could use "balance around" or "balance on." Example: Incorrect: The painter tried to balance about on the narrow beam. Correct: The painter tried to balance on the narrow beam.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

I think we got the balance about right.

Independent

He thinks the Labour legislation in this area got the balance about right.

The Guardian

Twenty-six per cent believe that Smith got the balance "about right", whereas 30% believe the plans do not devolve enough.

The Guardian

Some Africans complain about American drones and special forces operating in such hotspots as Djibouti, Ethiopia and Niger.Mr Obama says that right now, America has the security balance "about right".

The Economist

"It's a constructive and imaginative proposal and it broadens the discussion away from an exclusive focus on currency to the wider set of policies needed to bring balance about," he said.

The New York Times

Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke said there was no easy answer to the correct balance between the right to privacy and freedom of speech but "the Court of Human Rights seems to have decided that they think the British have got the balance about right at the moment".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Here the balance feels about right.

The Guardian - Arts

Mr. Duisenberg, who presided over the introduction of the euro as a common currency in 12 countries, has kept European leaders off-balance about his retirement plans for more than a year.

The New York Times

I do have to work at it, but I try to be balanced about it.

The New York Times

When some bank customers checked their balances about five weeks ago, bank auditors noticed discrepancies.

The New York Times

You wouldn't think it would but my parents were really balanced about that.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "balance about" in formal writing. Instead, consider more grammatically sound alternatives such as "balance on" or "balance around", depending on the intended meaning. Always prioritize clarity and grammatical correctness to ensure effective communication.

Common error

A common error is using "about" to indicate a physical relationship like balancing on or around something. "About" typically refers to a topic or approximation. To prevent this, use prepositions like "on" or "around" to accurately describe spatial relationships.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "balance about" attempts to describe a state of equilibrium or proportionality related to a specific subject. However, Ludwig AI identifies this phrase as grammatically incorrect in standard English. The correct usage would involve prepositions like 'on' or 'around'.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Sports

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "balance about" appears in various sources, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, standard English prefers alternatives like "balance on" or "balance around", which provide greater clarity and grammatical soundness. The intended meaning, often related to equilibrium or proportionality, can be better conveyed with these alternatives. Given its uncommon usage and grammatical issues, it is advisable to avoid using "balance about" in formal writing and to prioritize clarity and correctness in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equilibrium regarding

Replaces "balance" with "equilibrium" to denote a state of equal forces, changing "about" to "regarding" to indicate the topic.

harmony concerning

Substitutes "balance" with "harmony", suggesting a pleasing arrangement or agreement, using "concerning" to specify the subject.

stability relating to

Employs "stability" instead of "balance", emphasizing steadiness and resistance to change, with "relating to" focusing on the connection.

proportionality in relation to

Replaces "balance" with "proportionality" to highlight the correct relation in size, degree, or amount, using "in relation to" to link the elements.

symmetry with respect to

Uses "symmetry" instead of "balance", indicating a correspondence in size and form, using "with respect to" to define scope.

composure regarding

Substitutes "balance" with "composure", referring to a state of calmness and self-control, using "regarding" to introduce the topic.

levelheadedness concerning

Replaces "balance" with "levelheadedness" which is a sense of responsibility, and uses concerning to show what it concerns.

equanimity relating to

Employs "equanimity" instead of "balance", indicating mental calmness, with "relating to" focusing on the connection.

steadiness with respect to

Uses "steadiness" instead of "balance", indicating a quality of being steady and firm, using "with respect to" to define scope.

calibration in relation to

Replaces "balance" with "calibration" to highlight the act of adjusting, and "in relation to" to link the elements.

FAQs

Is "balance about" grammatically correct?

No, "balance about" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's more appropriate to use phrases like "balance on" or "balance around" depending on the context.

What are some alternatives to "balance about"?

Depending on the intended meaning, you could use phrases such as "equilibrium regarding", "harmony concerning", or "stability relating to".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "balance about"?

While some instances of "balance about" can be found, they are generally considered non-standard. It is best to avoid this phrase in formal or academic writing. Consider rephrasing for clarity and grammatical correctness.

How can I ensure I'm using the correct preposition with "balance"?

Consider the context of your sentence. If you're referring to physical balance, prepositions like "on" or "around" are more suitable. For abstract balance, consider alternatives like "regarding", "concerning", or "relating to".