What is about? Pronunciation and usage in English

about means . Learn how to pronounce and use about through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of about

aboutpreposition

/əˈbaʊt/
Definition & pronunciation of about

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "about" in English. It's a tricky one because it doesn't follow typical English pronunciation rules!

Here's the most common and accepted pronunciation, along with a breakdown:

Pronunciation: /ˈæbʌt/ (IPA – International Phonetic Alphabet)

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

  1. "A" sound: Say the short "a" sound as in "cat" or "apple." It’s a quick, clipped sound.

  2. "Bou" sound: This is the tricky part! It’s not the French "bo." Instead, it’s a sound that’s somewhere between the "ow" in "cow" and the "uh" in "but". It's a diphthong – meaning it’s a sound that blends together. Think of it like a short, slightly rounded "uh" sound. Many people find this the hardest part.

  3. "T" sound: Finally, say a clear "t" sound, like in "top."

Putting it all together:

It sounds roughly like: "Ah-boot" (with the "boot" part slightly blended into the "a" sound)

Tips for getting it right:

  • Listen to native speakers: This is the best way to learn. Here are some resources:

    • Google Translate: Type "about" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/about/ - This website has pronunciations from native speakers around the world.
    • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce about" on YouTube and you'll find many helpful videos.

  • Practice slowly: Don't rush. Focus on each sound individually before blending them together.

  • Record yourself: Record yourself saying "about" and compare your pronunciation to a native speaker's.

  • Don't overemphasize the "bou" sound: It’s supposed to be subtle and quickly blended with the “a”.

Common Mistakes:

  • Saying "boat": This is a frequent error. Remember the "a" sound is short and sharp.
  • A longer "o" sound: Avoid making the 'bou' sound too drawn out. Keep it relatively short.

Would you like me to:

  • Provide a more detailed explanation of a specific part of the pronunciation?
  • Give you some example sentences you can practice with?

Usage and examples with the word about in English

Let's break down how to use the word "about" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different functions. Here's a breakdown with examples:

1. Introducing a Topic (Most Common Use)

  • Function: "About" signals that you're going to talk specifically about something. It sets the subject of what you're going to discuss.
  • Structure: It’s about + [noun] or I’m talking about + [noun]
  • Examples:
    • “It’s about my trip to Italy.” (The topic is the trip to Italy.)
    • “I’m talking about the new movie release.” (The topic is the movie.)
    • “She’s about her career.” (She’s focused on her career.)

2. Around a Certain Time/Amount

  • Function: To indicate an approximate time, duration, or quantity.
  • Structure: about + time/amount
  • Examples:
    • “The meeting will be about 30 minutes long.” (Approximately 30 minutes.)
    • “I spent about $20 on groceries.” (Around $20.)
    • “It happened about six months ago.” (Approximately six months.)

3. Concerning/Regarding

  • Function: "About" can indicate that something is related to, concerning, or pertains to a specific subject. It's more formal than "regarding."
  • Structure: about + noun/phrase
  • Examples:
    • “There’s a lot of discussion about climate change.” (Concerning climate change.)
    • “He’s worried about his health.” (Concerning his health.)
    • “I read an article about ancient Egypt.” (Regarding ancient Egypt.)

4. "About" as a Preposition of Direction (Less Common - Often Informal)

  • Function: Indicating movement around something. This is a more casual usage.
  • Structure: about + prepositional phrase (often including a direction)
  • Examples:
    • “He ran about the room.” (He ran around the room – in a haphazard way.)
    • “The kids were playing about the garden.” (The kids were playing around the garden.) Note: "around" is more common here.

5. "About" in Phrases (Very Common)

  • “About time!” (Expressing that something was long overdue)
  • “About face!” (Turn around completely)
  • “What’s about to happen?” (What is about to happen?)
  • “All about it” (Referring to having detailed information)

Let's look at some sentences demonstrating different uses:

  • “I’m about to leave for the airport.” (Introducing a topic - I'm going to explain my departure.)
  • “Please tell me about your family.” (Asking for information concerning your family.)
  • “The concert was about two hours long.” (Indicating an approximate time.)
  • “He was about to cry.” (Indicating a very close moment before crying.)

Key Differences: "About" vs. "Around" vs. "Around"

  • "About" - Approximate time/amount, topic, or concerning.
  • "Around" - Moving in a circular path; a general area. (More common when talking about movement)

To help me tailor my explanation further, could you tell me:

  • What specifically are you struggling with when using "about"? (e.g., “I'm not sure if I should use it before a noun or a verb?”)
  • Can you give me an example sentence you’re unsure about?

Synonyms for the word about

Idioms of the word about

how/what about…?
used when asking for information about somebody/something
  • How about Ruth? Have you heard from her?
  • I'm having fish. What about you?
(especially North American English)used to make a suggestion
  • How about going for a walk?
  • How about we go for a walk?
  • What about a break?

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