found about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "found about" is not correct in written English.
Instead, you might use "found out about" to express a similar idea. For example: I found out about the party on Facebook.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I found about 20 apps.

The New York Times

They found about 12 or 13 parrots.

The New York Times - Science

He was found about 10 30 a.m.

The New York Times

Here is an interesting article I found about it.

Harvard University

The survey found about 80% of sightings were of males.

The Guardian

The police found about $2.00 worth of pot the house.

The Washington Post

"I found about 630 Dmitri Medvedevs," he said.

The New York Times

The infant was found about half an hour later.

The New York Times

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

Avoid using "found about". Use the correct phrasal verb "found out about" or other alternatives like "discovered information regarding" for better clarity and grammatical accuracy.

Common error

Do not omit the "out" in the phrasal verb. Saying "I found about the issue" is grammatically incorrect. Always use "I found out about the issue" or a more formal alternative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "found about" functions as a verb phrase attempting to convey the meaning of discovering or learning something. However, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI identifies the correct form as "found out about".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

30%

Science

29%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "found about" is commonly used but grammatically incorrect. The proper phrasing is "found out about". While Ludwig identifies numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and BBC, it emphasizes the need for grammatical accuracy. When writing, consider using "found out about" or alternative phrases such as "discovered" or "learned about" for clarity and correctness. Pay close attention to the intended register, opting for formal alternatives in professional or academic writing. Although frequently found, always strive for "found out about".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

came across information on

Uses the phrasal verb "came across" to suggest accidental discovery.

stumbled upon knowledge of

Highlights the accidental nature of the discovery.

discovered information regarding

Replaces "found" with "discovered" and uses a more formal prepositional phrase.

learned something concerning

Uses "learned" instead of "found" and "concerning" for a more formal tone.

gained knowledge regarding

Emphasizes the acquisition of knowledge rather than a simple finding.

uncovered details pertaining to

Employs "uncovered" and "pertaining to" for a more investigative nuance.

identified aspects relating to

Uses "identified" to focus on the recognition of specific aspects.

ascertained facts about

Replaces "found" with "ascertained", indicating a confirmed discovery.

detected data concerning

Uses "detected" to imply a more technical or scientific discovery.

unearthed evidence relating to

Implies a deeper investigation and discovery of evidence.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "found about"?

The correct way to express discovering information is to use "found out about". For example, instead of saying "I found about the news", say "I found out about the news".

What can I say instead of "found about"?

You can use alternatives like "discovered information regarding", "learned about", or "came across" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "found about" or "found out about"?

"Found out about" is the correct and grammatically accepted phrase. "Found about" is generally considered incorrect.

How can I avoid using "found about" in my writing?

Always double-check your phrasing and ensure you include "out" when you mean to express discovering something. Alternatives include "learned of", "discovered", or rephrasing the sentence to use a more appropriate verb.