was about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to link two related ideas or facts. For example: "When I was walking down the street, I noticed a group of people discussing what the meeting was about."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was about 33.

The New York Times - Arts

I was about 18.

The New York Times - Arts

It was about engineering".

The New York Times

He was about to.

The New York Times

Charles was about 20.

The New York Times

It was about suicide.

The New Yorker

The war was about freedom.

The New York Times

That's what it was about".

The New York Times

"It was about dignity.

The New York Times

"It was about him".

The New York Times

That was about it".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To use "was about" for indicating approximations, make sure it makes sense. For example: "He was about to leave"

Common error

Avoid using "was about" when a more precise or specific verb would better convey the intended meaning. For example, instead of "The book was about cats", consider "The book described cats".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was about" primarily functions as a linking verb phrase, connecting a subject to a description of its topic or content. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was about" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to describe the subject or focus of something in the past. According to Ludwig, it's widely used and considered correct. It's particularly common in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral tone suitable for diverse applications. When choosing to use "was about", consider alternatives like "concerned with" or "focused on" to add nuance, and ensure the tense aligns with the intended meaning. Pay attention to scope issues. Ludwig AI confirms its general acceptance and applicability across various forms of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concerned with

Focuses more directly on the subject matter being addressed.

focused on

Indicates a specific concentration or emphasis.

dealt with

Emphasizes the handling or addressing of a specific issue.

revolved around

Highlights the central or pivotal nature of the subject.

centered on

Highlights the core or main aspect of the discussion.

pertained to

Suggests a formal or official connection to the topic.

regarding

Offers a more general and less emphatic connection.

in reference to

Implies a specific and deliberate connection.

discussed

Implies a more formal or structured conversation.

talked about

More casual and conversational in tone.

FAQs

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

You can use "was about" to describe the subject of a conversation, a book, or an event. For example, "The movie "was about World War II"" or "The discussion "was about budget cuts"".

What are some alternatives to "was about"?

Alternatives include phrases like "concerned with", "dealt with", or "focused on", depending on the context. These alternatives can add nuance or specificity to your writing.

Is it correct to say "was about to"?

Yes, "was about to" is a correct and common phrase used to indicate that something was on the verge of happening. For example, "He "was about to leave" when the phone rang".

What's the difference between "was about" and "is about"?

"Was about" refers to something that occurred in the past, while "is about" refers to something that is currently happening or generally true. For instance, "The lecture "was about climate change"" (past) versus "The lecture "is about climate change"" (present/general).