obtain about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obtain about" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear and does not fit standard usage; it may be an attempt to express acquiring information or knowledge regarding a subject. Example: "I need to obtain about the latest research findings to complete my report."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The group discovered that their identities were used to illegally obtain about 75 credit cards, buy at least $100,000 in merchandise, open 20 cellular telephone accounts, and rent three apartments.

The New York Times

By using a dissolution insert that fits to the new design, it was possible to obtain about 120 ml of room-temperature hyperpolarized solution.

Journal of Magnetic Resonance

Although the code rate becomes large, the proposed decoder still can obtain about 0.5 dB performance gains at FER = 10−4 compared to the original polar BP decoder.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

It is expected MRO will obtain about 5,000 images per year.

Wikipedia

Foreigners can obtain about 70 percent financing; interest rates run 6.25 to 6.75 percent.

The New York Times

"That's a goal you obtain about half the time," the doctor, Kevin Ehrhart, told the ABC show "Good Morning America".

The New York Times

After Saturday, Sanders needs to obtain about fifty-seven per cent of them to achieve a majority of elected delegates.

The New Yorker

The cooperative must also obtain about $160 million in additional financing for the project, no easy matter.

The New York Times

The company is negotiating to obtain about $600 million in bankruptcy financing from several firms, including GE Capital, this person said.

The New York Times

Both Scottish and Southern Energy and International Power obtain about 10percentt of their earnings from contracts with TXU, estimates Martin Brough of Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein.

The New York Times

That organization admonished Ukraine's national bank for having overstated its hard currency reserves in 1997 and 1998 in order to obtain about $200 million in loans.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "obtain about" in formal writing. Replace it with more precise and grammatically correct alternatives like "obtain information about" or "acquire approximately" depending on the intended meaning.

Common error

The phrase "obtain about" often results from confusion regarding the correct preposition to use after "obtain". To avoid this, always clarify whether you are seeking information about something or aiming to obtain a specific quantity or result.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obtain about" functions as a verb phrase aiming to express the action of acquiring something, frequently used in contexts where an approximation or general quantity is sufficient, not an exact value. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically questionable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "obtain about" appears in a variety of sources, including news and scientific publications, it is grammatically questionable and should be used with caution. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is not correct. Consider replacing it with more precise and grammatically sound alternatives like "obtain information about", "acquire approximately", or other related phrases depending on the intended meaning. Its usage is common but its grammatical correctness is doubtful, suggesting a need for careful consideration in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquire information regarding

This alternative focuses on the acquisition of data or knowledge concerning a particular subject, highlighting the informational aspect of the original phrase.

gather details concerning

This emphasizes the collection of specific details related to a topic, differing from the more general term "obtain" by specifying the type of information sought.

ascertain facts relating to

This phrase suggests a more formal and investigative approach to discovering facts connected to a specific matter.

determine specifics regarding

This implies a process of finding out precise and detailed information about something.

get insight into

This focuses on gaining a deeper understanding or perspective about a subject, rather than merely acquiring information.

achieve approximately

This alternative shifts the focus from information gathering to achieving a numerical approximation or goal.

reach roughly

Similar to the previous alternative, this centers on attaining an approximate value or quantity.

secure around

This phrase emphasizes securing or obtaining something within a certain range or approximate quantity.

gain roughly

Similar to achieve approximately, this centers on attaining an approximate value or quantity.

find out concerning

A less formal way to express discovering or learning about something, it is more conversational but still emphasizes information retrieval.

FAQs

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

Use "obtain" with a direct object to indicate acquiring something. For example, "obtain information", "obtain funding", or "obtain a result". When seeking information about a topic, use "obtain information about".

What's a more formal way to say "obtain about"?

Depending on the context, use phrases like "acquire information regarding", "ascertain facts relating to", or "determine specifics regarding" for a more formal tone.

Is it correct to say "obtain of" instead of "obtain about"?

No, "obtain of" is also grammatically incorrect. The correct preposition to use when seeking information is "about". For example, "obtain information about".

What's the difference between "obtain information about" and "find out about"?

"Obtain information about" is generally more formal and suggests a deliberate effort to gather details. "Find out about" is more casual and can refer to discovering information through various means. You can use alternatives like "learn about" or "discover concerning".