finds about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "finds about" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely a mistaken combination of "finds out" or "learns about," which are the correct forms to use when referring to discovering information. Example: "She finds out about the surprise party later that day."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

As Republican senators attempt to pass major health-care legislation, the poll finds about twice as many Americans prefer the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare, to GOP plans for replacing it — 50percenttoto 24percentt.

The Washington Post

For 5000 false positives (approximately one per query), DELTA-BLAST finds about twice as many homologs as CS-BLAST and three times as many as BLASTP.

Biology Direct

Each day, Katz finds about a half-dozen items on the Arabic message boards that are worth distributing.

The New Yorker

Some of those added more original reporting, while some pointed to other blogs' finds about Freeman's record.

The Washington Post

The screening finds about 1,200 of the cheapest value stocks, based mostly on price-to-earnings multiples.

The New York Times

Because for the rest of Justine Sacco's, Paul Chambers's and Breanna Mitchell's lives, those moments will be the first thing that anybody finds about them on the internet.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

I found about 20 apps.

The New York Times

They found about 12 or 13 parrots.

The New York Times - Science

His body was found about 10 40 p.m.

The Washington Post

Her body was found about 4 30 a.m.

The New York Times

The Chevrolet Suburban was found about 7 a.m.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "finds about" with more grammatically correct alternatives such as "finds out about", "learns about", or "discovers" to ensure clarity and credibility in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "about" directly after "finds". Instead, use "finds out about" or rephrase the sentence to use a different verb like "learns" or "discovers" to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "finds about" functions as a verb phrase where 'finds' is a verb intended to express discovery or learning. However, the addition of 'about' directly after 'finds' without the particle 'out' creates a grammatical error, as noted by Ludwig. Correct alternatives should be sought.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

29%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "finds about" appears across various sources, including News & Media and scientific articles, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig highlights that it's likely a confusion with "finds out about" or "learns about". It is advisable to replace it with grammatically sound alternatives such as "learns about", "discovers", or "finds out about" to ensure clarity and credibility in writing. Despite being commonly used, especially in certain contexts, its incorrectness diminishes its suitability for formal or professional use. Using appropriate alternatives enhances the quality and accuracy of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finds out concerning

A more grammatically correct way to express the original intent, but still somewhat vague.

obtains information about

Focuses on the act of receiving information.

learns details concerning

Emphasizes the acquisition of specific details.

discovers information regarding

Uses a more formal verb and preposition to indicate uncovering information.

uncovers facts related to

Suggests the unveiling of factual information.

gains knowledge of

Highlights the increase in understanding.

ascertains the truth of

Focuses on verifying the accuracy of something.

determines specifics related to

Emphasizes establishing precise details.

detects information related to

Implies the use of observation or investigation to find information.

comes to know regarding

Suggests a gradual process of learning.

FAQs

What's the correct way to use "find" when referring to discovering information?

Use "finds out about" or "learns about" instead of "finds about". These options are grammatically correct and widely accepted.

What can I say instead of "finds about"?

You can use alternatives like "discovers", "learns", or "finds out" depending on the context.

Is "finds about" grammatically correct?

No, "finds about" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is "finds out about" or using a different verb altogether, such as "learns" or "discovers".

How does "finds about" compare to "finds out about"?

"Finds about" is grammatically incorrect, while "finds out about" is a correct and commonly used phrasal verb meaning to discover or learn something.