there are about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there are about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about approximate amounts. For example: "There are about 50 people at the park right now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are about 80 rides.

The New Yorker

Now there are about 1,200.

The New York Times

There are about 300 Friends.

The New Yorker

"Now there are about three".

The New York Times

There are about 30 million Sikhs worldwide.

The New York Times

Today, there are about a thousand.

The New Yorker

There are about 130 public institutions.

The New York Times

There are about 700,000 empty home.

The Economist

There are about a dozen of these.

The New York Times - Science

There are about 20 of them.

The New Yorker

There are about 3,000 in all.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there are about" to soften a statement or avoid making a precise claim, particularly when exact numbers are unknown or not critical.

Common error

Avoid following "there are about" with phrases that imply exactness. For example, avoid saying "There are about 100.000 people" because the phrase "there are about" already shows that it is not accurate, making the statement redundant and confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there are about" functions as an introductory expression indicating approximation or estimation. It sets the stage for a numerical value that is not precise but rather a rounded or generalized figure. Ludwig AI affirms this with numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there are about" is a versatile phrase used to introduce approximate quantities. It is considered grammatically correct and is frequently used in various contexts, including news, science, and everyday conversation. Ludwig AI provides numerous real-world examples showcasing this phrase's broad applicability. While generally neutral in tone, writers should be mindful of overstating accuracy when using it and choose more precise language if specificity is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately there are

Reorders the words for a slightly different emphasis, maintaining the same meaning.

there are roughly

Substitutes "about" with "roughly", indicating an approximate quantity.

there are nearly

Uses "nearly" instead of "about" to convey a close approximation.

there are close to

Employs "close to" to suggest an approximate number that is near a specific value.

there are around

Replaces "about" with "around" for a more casual approximation.

there exist approximately

Uses more formal vocabulary to indicate an estimated existence.

it is estimated that there are

Introduces the statement as an estimation, adding a layer of uncertainty.

a number of

Indicates an unspecified, approximate quantity.

in the vicinity of

Expresses a quantity existing within a general range.

in the neighborhood of

Similar to "in the vicinity of", this indicates a quantity within a general range.

FAQs

How do I use "there are about" in a sentence?

Use "there are about" to introduce an approximate quantity or number. For example, "There are about 300 students in the class" indicates an estimated number of students.

What can I say instead of "there are about"?

You can use alternatives like "approximately there are", "there are roughly", or "there are nearly" to express similar approximations.

Is it appropriate to use "there are about" in formal writing?

Yes, "there are about" is generally acceptable in formal writing when an exact number is not known or necessary. However, ensure it fits the tone and precision required by the context.

What's the difference between "there are about" and "there are exactly"?

"There are about" indicates an approximation, while "there are exactly" implies a precise, confirmed count. Use "there are about" when you don't have an exact number and "there are exactly" when you do.