they are about

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'they are about' is not correct and usable in written English as it is incomplete.
To use it correctly in written English, it would need to be in the form of a complete sentence, such as "They are about to leave."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They are about difficult things.

Independent

They are about 14.

The New Yorker

They are about right and wrong.

The New York Times

"They are about marketing".

The New York Times

They are about experience.

The New York Times - Food

"They are about coming out".

The New York Times

(They are about to drink).

The New Yorker

They are about choices.

The Guardian - Opinion

They are about ineptitude.

The New York Times

They are about attitude.

The Guardian

They are about religion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the phrase "they are about" is followed by a clear and specific subject to avoid ambiguity. For example, "They are about to start" is clearer than "They are about."

Common error

Avoid using "they are about" without a completing phrase. This construction often leaves the reader wondering what "they" are actually about to do or what the subject of discussion is.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are about" typically functions as an introductory phrase that requires completion to form a coherent thought. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's often considered incomplete on its own. The examples show its use in various contexts, needing a complement to specify the subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "they are about" is frequently used across diverse sources like the New York Times and The Guardian, Ludwig AI flags it as an incomplete construction. To ensure grammatical correctness and clarity, it's crucial to complete the phrase with a specific subject or action. Alternative phrases such as "they concern" or "they focus on" can provide more formal and direct ways to express the intended meaning. Therefore, while common, careful completion or substitution is recommended for optimal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they focus on

This option highlights the specific area of concentration or attention.

they discuss

This alternative implies a conversation or written piece about a specific topic.

they address

This implies directly tackling or speaking to particular subjects.

they concern

This alternative uses a more direct verb to indicate the subject of discussion or focus.

they cover

This suggests including various aspects within a topic or discussion.

they deal with

This suggests handling or addressing specific issues or topics.

they pertain to

This phrase provides a more formal way of saying what something is related to.

they examine

This indicates a detailed inspection or analysis of specific subjects.

they revolve around

This alternative emphasizes the central theme or focus of the subject.

they study

This implies a formal investigation or learning process about certain topics.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they are about" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "they concern", "they pertain to", or "they address". Each "they concern", "they pertain to", and "they address" offers a more sophisticated way to express the subject or focus.

Is it grammatically correct to say "they are about" without finishing the sentence?

According to Ludwig, the phrase "they are about" is considered incomplete. It's better to complete the sentence with what "they" are about to do or discuss to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. For example, "They are about to begin" or "They are about the environment".

What's the difference between "they are about to" and "they are about"?

"They are about to" indicates an imminent action, like "They are about to leave". On the other hand, "they are about" requires completion to specify the subject or topic. So, using "they are about" to suggest that "they concern" something is technically incorrect.

What are some common phrases that begin similarly to "they are about"?

Common phrases include "they are about to", indicating an upcoming event, and phrases using related verbs like "they focus on", which highlights a particular area of concentration. The use of "they focus on" can help to clarify the intent.