Language/English/Vocabulary/About
Hi English learners,
In this lesson, we will learn different use of the word "About".
"About" Versus "round"[edit | edit source]
About + infinitive (with to) means 'going to very soon’; ‘just going to’
Examples:
- Don't go out now - we're about to have lunch.
- I was about to go to bed when the telephone rang.
- "Not about to" can mean 'unwilling to’: I ’m not about to pay 100 dollars for that dress.
"(a)round" Versus "about"[edit | edit source]
circular movement, etc: (a)round[edit | edit source]
We use both round and around (American English usually around) for movement or position in a circle or a curve.
Examples:
- She walked (a)round the car and looked at the wheels.
- I'd like to travel (a)round the world.
- ‘Where do you live?' ‘Just (a)round the corner.’
touring, distribution: round[edit | edit source]
We also use round or around (American English usually around) to talk about going to all (or most) parts of a place, or giving things to everybody in a group.
Examples:
- We walked (a)round the old part o f the town.
- Can I look (a)round? Could you pass the cups (a)round, please?
indefinite movement and position[edit | edit source]
We use "round" or "about" (American English usually around) to refer to movements or positions that are not very clear or definite: ‘here and there’, ‘in lots of places’, ‘in different parts of, ‘somewhere in’ and similar ideas.
Examples:
- The children were running around/about everywhere.
- Stop standing around/about and do some work.
- ‘Where's Jack?’ ‘Somewhere around/about.’
- I like doing odd jobs around/about the house.
We also use these words in some common expressions to talk about time-wasting or silly activity.
Example:
- Stop fooling around/about. We're late.
"about" Versus "on"[edit | edit source]
We use "about" to talk about ordinary, more general kinds of communication.
"On" suggests that a book, talk, etc is more serious, suitable for specialists.
Compare:
- a book for children about Africa and its peoples
- a textbook on African history
- a conversation about money
- a lecture on economics
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Best Songs to Learn
- Slang contractions
- Useful Sentenses
- Best 1000 Things to Do in Paris
- Altogether and all together
- Along
- Collocations with make
- Top 1000 Gift Ideas
- Give up VS Abandon
- Funny English Idioms