phrase about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "phrase about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific topic or subject that is being discussed or described in a phrase. Example: "The phrase about the importance of teamwork resonated with everyone in the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Mishra rightly finds the obsession summed up in Bakunin's phrase about destruction as a creative passion).

The New Yorker

"The phrase about killing judges, I think, was a big mistake," he said.

The New York Times

Q: Did you come up with the phrase about hitting the target but missing the point?

The Guardian

Your editorial (In praise of… no latecomers, 14 August) was muddle about music, to misquote Stalin's famous phrase about Shostakovich.

The Guardian - Music

Learn a phrase about bad experiences.

BBC

Each contained a phrase about life, a sentence-in-testing.

The New York Times

Actually, I'm not sure about the phrase about information.

The New York Times - Books

Maybe that is why his phrase about the English springs to mind now.

The New York Times - Sports

That last phrase about not cutting corners showed Dimitrov's growing maturity.

The New York Times

Then King started to repeat one particular phrase about having a dream.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr Gerson once coined a memorable phrase about the "soft bigotry of low expectations".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "phrase about" when you want to highlight a specific expression or saying related to a particular topic. For example, "The "phrase about" 'actions speak louder than words' is very relevant here."

Common error

While "phrase about" is generally acceptable, avoid using it in overly formal or academic writing where more precise terms like "statement concerning" or "expression regarding" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "phrase about" is to introduce a specific expression or saying related to a particular subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used and grammatically sound, serving to highlight a particular form of wording. Ludwig also shows real-world examples from reputable sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the expression "phrase about" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to introduce a specific expression or saying related to a particular topic. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, primarily in news and media, academia, and scientific writing. While generally neutral in tone, it is recommended to consider more formal alternatives such as "expression regarding" or "statement concerning" in highly formal settings. "Phrase about" is versatile and serves to connect specific wording to broader topics, enhancing clarity and emphasis. It is important to choose the right preposition as in this context "phrase on" is incorrect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expression regarding

Replaces "phrase" with "expression", slightly more formal.

words concerning

Replaces "phrase" with "words", focusing on the specific wording.

statement concerning

Uses "statement" instead of "phrase", emphasizing a formal declaration.

comment on

Highlights a specific remark or observation.

remark pertaining to

Substitutes "phrase" with "remark" and "about" with "pertaining to", increasing formality.

utterance regarding

More formal alternative to "phrase" and "about".

reference to

Focuses on the act of referring to something rather than the specific wording.

mention of

Focuses on the act of mentioning something.

allusion to

Implies an indirect reference or hint.

something to the effect of

Indicates an approximation of a saying or expression.

FAQs

How can I use "phrase about" in a sentence?

You can use "phrase about" to refer to a specific saying or expression related to a topic. For example, "He used the "phrase about" 'burning bridges' to describe his departure."

What are some alternatives to "phrase about"?

Alternatives include "expression regarding", "statement concerning", or "reference to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "phrase on" instead of "phrase about"?

No, "phrase on" is not grammatically correct in this context. The correct preposition to use is "about". You could however use the expression "comment on" instead as in "the journalist made a comment on the matter".

What's the difference between "phrase about" and "saying about"?

"Phrase about" is a more general term that can refer to any expression, while "saying about" specifically refers to a well-known or traditional expression. You can replace one with the other as in "the "saying about" absence makes the heart grow fonder".