just about somebody

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just about somebody" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is nearly or almost related to a specific person. Example: "The discussion was just about somebody who had made a significant impact on the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"It's not just about somebody who's willing to take a risk," Mr. Sevart said the other day as he strolled through the crowds of tourists at the top of the Space Needle.

The New York Times

It's not just about somebody famous dying; it's that they died and you should be recognized.

Vice

"This is a problem that is not just about somebody else's kids, this is about a lot of kids," McCarthy said.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Having just about recovered from naming somebody who had never played for his hometown Boston Red Sox as his favourite Red Sox player ever, he then offended the people of Wisconsin by describing the Green Bay Packers' fabled stadium as "Lambert" instead of "Lambeau" Field.

The Guardian - Sport

The other half is underwear, and it's an excellent setup until somebody just about gets her bellybutton pierced by an earring post.

Huffington Post

"Stealing from somebody is just about as bad as it gets.

The Guardian

"We're not just talking about somebody who's having a bad day or got into an argument with their spouse," Dr. Lieberman said.

The New York Times

This teaches them that it is not just about when somebody gives you something material but when somebody really does something for you.

WikiHow

"And I know it doesn't end there — I know that it's not just about when somebody is physically harmed or what have you.

TechCrunch

Considering the wide distribution of video games in our society, it isn't surprising to hear Goodman say, "Its been our experience there's just about anything somebody can grab onto depending on their age and experience".

Huffington Post

Mr. Dylan even jokes about his loose regard for the details in "Chronicles": "When Bono or me aren't exactly sure about somebody, we just make it up".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just about somebody" to indicate that a statement or situation is broadly applicable to people, without necessarily including absolutely everyone.

Common error

Avoid using "just about somebody" when a more precise term is needed. Overusing it can dilute the impact of your message, especially if the context requires specificity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just about somebody" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun. As Ludwig AI states, it indicates a general reference to individuals, suggesting that a statement or condition applies broadly, though perhaps not universally. Examples in Ludwig show its use in discussing common experiences or characteristics.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just about somebody" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to suggest broad applicability to individuals. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While "just about somebody" can be replaced with alternatives like "almost anyone" or "nearly everyone", it uniquely balances generality with a slight focus on individual relevance. Usage across news, media, and informal contexts indicates its versatility, though careful selection is needed to avoid overgeneralization. Keep in mind that precise language will always enhance clarity in your writing, thus considering when "just about somebody" can better be replaced by something even more fitting to context and scope.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost anyone

Focuses on the near-universal scope rather than a specific individual.

nearly everyone

Emphasizes the extent to which a statement applies to the population.

virtually anyone

Highlights the practical equivalence to 'everyone' despite theoretical exceptions.

practically anybody

Indicates a situation where the difference is negligible.

close to anyone

Emphasizes proximity or nearness in terms of relation or impact.

almost everybody

Shifts the emphasis to the majority of people, closely approaching 'everyone'.

nearly everybody

Similar to 'almost everybody' but with a slight variation in word choice.

just about everyone

A parallel construction emphasizing broad applicability.

regarding nearly someone

More formal and emphasizes the act of considering or discussing someone specifically.

concerning nearly someone

Highlights that the subject matter is 'about' but slightly more precisely focusing on almost the someone rather than everything

FAQs

How can I use "just about somebody" in a sentence?

You can use "just about somebody" to express that something is generally true for a person, although there might be exceptions. For example, "Just about somebody knows "somebody with cancer"".

What's the difference between "just about somebody" and "just about everyone"?

"Just about somebody" implies a focus on the individual, even if the statement applies widely, while "just about everyone" directly emphasizes the collective.

Is it correct to say "just about anyone" instead of "just about somebody"?

Yes, "just about anyone" is a valid alternative and often interchangeable with "just about somebody", especially when emphasizing the general applicability to people.

Can I use "nearly everyone" as a substitute for "just about somebody"?

While similar, "nearly everyone" focuses on the large proportion of people, whereas "just about somebody" keeps a slightly stronger focus on individual cases within that large proportion.