namely about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "namely about" is not correct in standard written English.
You can use "namely" to specify or clarify something, but it should not be followed by "about." Example: "The project focuses on renewable energy sources, namely solar and wind power."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Namely about four foot of back end and half a tonne of bulk.

The Guardian - Tech

Thus, his theory contains an empirical claim, namely about the original function of myths (expressing existential attitudes through objectified representations).

Encyclopedia Britannica

In "Boots and Boys", for instance, she makes a point of singing about the opposite sex in the same way that male performers have traditionally done about women – namely about how their "junk" might look once divested of clothes.

The Guardian - Music

Behind the complaints about the Booker decision, there was another flavor of criticism, perhaps a kind of Old World snobbery, namely about the quality and nature of American literature itself.

The New Yorker

In his comments to the crowd here, Mr. Lazio repeated many of the themes he has discussed throughout his campaign, namely about the need to offer an across-the-board tax cut.

The New York Times

In very young people, the near point of accommodation is quite close to the eye, namely about seven centimetres (about three inches) in front at 10 years old; at 40 years the distance has increased to about 16 centimetres (about 6 inches), and at 60 years it is 100 centimetres or one metre (39 inches).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

I've previously been pretty clear about my opinion: namely, worrying about Chapter 11 venue is largely a waste of time and might even be harmful to the Chapter 11 process, which seems to work pretty well, all things considered.

The New York Times

The best human activity is the most god-like, namely thinking about the god and about things that do not change.

SEP

How boring; how limiting; how inimical to what public life should be about, namely, expanding one's experience, vicariously, beyond one's own circumstances and point of view.

The New Yorker

But then, he says, he realized that there was at least one thing that he could not be wrong about; namely, the proposition that he himself existed.

The New Yorker

If the answer is 'yes', then there is a state of affairs that Jane cannot bring about, namely, (S1) that a stone of mass m moves.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace "namely about" with more precise alternatives like "specifically regarding" or "particularly concerning".

Common error

Avoid using "namely about" as it creates redundancy. "Namely" already introduces a specific item or detail, making "about" unnecessary and grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "namely about" is typically intended to introduce specific details or examples related to a topic. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically incorrect. While it attempts to narrow the focus, it does so redundantly.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "namely about" is frequently used, Ludwig AI points out that it's grammatically incorrect. The word "namely" itself indicates that specific details will follow, making "about" redundant. It appears across different contexts, especially in science and news articles. To achieve clarity and grammatical correctness, consider using alternatives such as "specifically regarding" or "particularly concerning". Using these alternatives enhances precision and maintains a formal tone in your writing. Therefore, you should try to avoid this phrase in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specifically regarding

Replaces "namely" with "specifically" and uses "regarding" to connect to the topic.

particularly concerning

Emphasizes a particular aspect or detail with a focus on the subject.

more precisely about

Highlights the accuracy or exactness of the information being specified.

in particular about

Focuses on specific details or examples related to the subject.

especially with regard to

Similar to "particularly concerning" but uses a more formal tone.

that is to say regarding

Offers clarification or rephrasing with respect to the topic at hand.

to be specific concerning

Highlights that the following information is a precise detail about the subject.

namely concerning

Retains "namely" but replaces "about" with the more grammatically correct "concerning".

in other words about

Rephrases information about a specific aspect using alternative wording.

as regards to

Replaces "namely" with "as" and "about" with "regards to".

FAQs

What does "namely" mean, and how should it be used?

"Namely" introduces a specific detail, example, or piece of information that clarifies a previous statement. It should be followed by the specific item, not "about". For example, "The project focuses on renewable energy sources, namely solar and wind power" is correct, while "namely about renewable energy sources" is incorrect.

What are some alternatives to "namely about"?

Alternatives to "namely about" include "specifically regarding", "particularly concerning", or other phrases that introduce a specific detail more accurately.

Is "namely about" grammatically correct?

No, "namely about" is not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. The word "namely" already implies that you are about to provide specific information, so "about" is redundant.

How can I use "namely" correctly in a sentence?

Use "namely" to introduce a specific element directly. For example, instead of saying "The issues are namely about budget cuts", say "The issues are namely budget cuts" or "The issues are "specifically regarding" budget cuts".