first appeared about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first appeared about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the approximate time or date when something was introduced or became known. Example: "The concept of artificial intelligence first appeared about the mid-20th century."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Dinosaurs first appeared about 225 million years ago, during the Triassic period.

The Washington Post

Regularly printed newspapers first appeared about 1600 and multiplied rapidly thereafter, though they were frequently bedeviled by censorship regulations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Itai hoteru" first appeared about five years ago in Japan's largest cities, and there are only a few across the country.

The New York Times

At Nike's corporate headquarters, there are no worries about the future of the shoelace, which first appeared about 1790 in England (previously, most shoes had buckles).

The New York Times - Style

According to CNN, a local shop owner who sales the masks in China, says the facekinis first appeared about seven years ago, but with the increased awareness of sun damage and health concerns, it picked up couple years ago.

Independent

The next phase is characterized by the more-schematic figures of the so-called Horse and Camel periods, made when the wheel first appeared about 3,000 years ago.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

John Barleycorn, fictional humorous personification of alcohol, first appearing about 1620.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There is a comment on the video pointing to him when he first appears, about 15 seconds from the beginning".

The Guardian - Film

Morphologically, the nervous system first appears about 18 days after conception, with the genesis of a neural plate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Direct evidence of agriculture first appears about 6,000 years ago with the cultivation of barley and emmer wheat in Egypt; these appear to have been introduced from Asia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ms. Finneran first appears about 90 minutes into "Promises, Promises," at the start of Act II, as the blowsy barfly Marge MacDougall.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "first appeared about" to indicate an approximate time when something came into existence or became known. It is suitable for historical events, inventions, or the introduction of concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "first appeared about" when precise dates are known. Opt for specific dates or timeframes to enhance clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first appeared about" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It specifies the approximate time when something began to exist or became known. As Ludwig AI's examples show, this phrase commonly introduces a temporal element to a statement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

19%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first appeared about" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to indicate an approximate time of origin. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic writing. When employing this phrase, ensure precision is not sacrificed for approximation when exact dates are available. For alternatives, consider "initially emerged around" or "originated approximately". It's a versatile tool for conveying temporal information without demanding pinpoint accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

began around

Simple and direct, indicating the start time without specific emphasis.

initially emerged around

Emphasizes the beginning or initial stage of something's existence, focusing on emergence.

initially surfaced circa

Highlights the first instance of something becoming visible or known, using a more formal term for 'approximately'.

originated approximately

Focuses on the origin or source of something, using a synonym for 'about'.

commenced circa

More formal, indicating the starting point or beginning, using a formal term for 'approximately'.

debuted roughly

Implies a formal or public presentation for the first time, using a less precise term for 'about'.

started up nearly

Indicates the commencement or initiation of something, with less precision.

arose in the vicinity of

Highlights the rise or beginning in a general temporal area.

came into being close to

More descriptive, emphasizing the moment of creation or origination in a general temporal area.

took shape roughly

Focuses on the formation or development phase around a certain time, using a less precise term for 'about'.

FAQs

How can I use "first appeared about" in a sentence?

You can use "first appeared about" to indicate an approximate time when something came into existence. For example: "The concept of the internet "first appeared about" the 1960s."

What are some alternatives to "first appeared about"?

Some alternatives include "initially emerged around", "initially surfaced circa", or "originated approximately" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "first appeared about" in formal writing?

Yes, "first appeared about" is suitable for formal writing when providing an approximate timeframe. However, if a precise date is available, it's better to use that instead.

What's the difference between "first appeared about" and "first emerged around"?

"First appeared about" indicates an approximate time of appearance, while "first emerged around" suggests a gradual coming into existence within an approximate timeframe. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize a specific point in time or a process.