about

Everyday

1. About tells what something is on or what it is to do with: a book about dinosaurs. tree →
2. About can also mean nearly or roughly, as in «about 10». tree →
3. About can mean here and there, all around a place: children running about the yard. tree →
4. «Be about to» means be just going to do something: I was about to call you. tree →
5. «Up and about» means out of bed and active again after being ill. tree →
6. (casual) «What's that about?» or «What's he on about?» asks what someone means or why they are acting oddly; «What about …?» and «How about …?» make a suggestion. tree →
7. (formal) In the exam voice «about» is replaced by stiff words: «concerning», «regarding», «in respect of», «pertaining to»; «approximately» replaces «about 10». tree →

In the lessons

links a remark to its topic; in the lessons it names what a set of words or a problem is telling us («This problem is about sharing»); in maths «about» marks an estimate («about 10», «roughly», «approximately»); in everyday life «what is it about?», «talk about», «think about», «worry about», «be about to», «how about pizza?»; in casual talk «what are you on about?» (what do you mean?), «that's what it's all about», «about time!» (at last, said when someone is late); in the exam voice «concerning», «with regard to», «approximately»; in stories «a story about a brave girl»

Examples

• The words «each», «every» and «packs of» tell us about equal groups. tree →
• The story is about Mia and her 12 stickers. tree →
• This problem is about sharing 20 grapes among 4 friends. tree →
• There are about 30 children in our class. tree →
• We read a book about sharks and whales. tree →
• The train leaves in about ten minutes. tree →
• Don't worry about the test; you have practised. tree →
• I was just about to call you! tree →
• The puppies ran about the garden all morning. tree →
• what are you on about, it's 12 not 20 tree →
• About time! The bloody bus is finally here. tree →
• Determine approximately how many pupils are present, given that 3 of the 32 enrolled pupils are absent. tree →
• What do you think about it?" tree →

Note

«about» carries no clue for the operation in a problem; it only links a remark to its topic. Trap: «about 10» means nearly 10, an estimate, not an exact amount, so an answer «about 10» may be 9 or 11; «approximately» in an exam means the same. «be about to» means very soon, not a topic. «About time!» is a complaint that something is late, not a question about the clock. Do not mix «about» (topic) with «around» (place), though «around 10» also means nearly 10. In formal writing «concerning», «regarding» or «in respect of» stand where a child would say «about».

In Jewish tradition

links a remark to its topic; in the lessons it names what a set of words or a problem is telling us («This problem is about sharing»); in maths «about» marks an estimate («about 10», «roughly», «approximately»); in everyday life «what is it about?», «talk about», «think about», «worry about», «be about to», «how about pizza?»; in casual talk «what are you on about?» (what do you mean?), «that's what it's all about», «about time!» (at last, said when someone is late); in the exam voice «concerning», «with regard to», «approximately»; in stories «a story about a brave girl»

Examples

• And Laban felt about all the tent, but found them not. (Torah GEN.31.34, JPS 1917) tree →
• This shall be to them the open land about the cities. (Torah NUM.35.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• All the hangings of the court round about were of fine twined linen. (Torah EXO.38.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• Round about his teeth is terror. (Writings JOB.41.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Thy faithfulness is round about Thee. (Writings PSA.89.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Israel set liers-in-wait against Gibeah round about. (Prophets JDG.20.29, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

«about» carries no clue for the operation in a problem; it only links a remark to its topic. Trap: «about 10» means nearly 10, an estimate, not an exact amount, so an answer «about 10» may be 9 or 11; «approximately» in an exam means the same. «be about to» means very soon, not a topic. «About time!» is a complaint that something is late, not a question about the clock. Do not mix «about» (topic) with «around» (place), though «around 10» also means nearly 10. In formal writing «concerning», «regarding» or «in respect of» stand where a child would say «about».