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When I sit down with my ESL students and ask “Is ‘about’ a preposition?”, I almost always get a hesitant nod. Most learners use it every single day, but they can’t quite articulate what it does or why. That’s the thing about everyday words — they hide in plain sight.
This guide cuts through the confusion. You’ll learn the three core meanings of “about” as a preposition, a quick table to choose the right one, 18+ real examples showing it in context, and the three mistakes that trip up even advanced learners. By the end, you’ll have both the rule and the intuition to use it confidently in any sentence.
Key Takeaways
- Yes, ‘about’ is a preposition — but it has three distinct meanings depending on context.
- Topic/subject use (80%) — “We talked about the movie.” This is the most common.
- Approximation (15%) — “It costs about $50.” Means roughly or nearly.
- Location/position (5%) — “Wandering about the park.” Means around or here and there.
- Hidden trap — “about” also works as an adverb and adjective; context determines the part of speech.
Is ‘About’ Really a Preposition?
Yes. “About” is a preposition — one of the most flexible and frequently used in English. As a preposition, it always shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in the sentence. The trick is that “about” carries three main meanings, and each one points to a different kind of relationship.
Pronunciation Note
/əˈbaʊt/ — adverb, preposition, adjective. Stressed on the second syllable: uh-BOWT. In casual speech, sometimes pronounced more like “a-boat” or “uh-BAHWT” depending on accent.
The 3 Core Meanings of “About” as a Preposition
| Meaning | Core Definition | Frequency | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topic / Subject | Concerning; regarding; on the subject of | ~80% | “We talked about your exam results.” |
| Approximation | Roughly; approximately; around (a number or time) | ~15% | “It’ll cost about $100.” |
| Location / Position | Around; here and there; in various parts of | ~5% | “Children were running about the playground.” |
Meaning 1: Topic or Subject (Most Common)
This is the workhorse sense of “about.” When you use “about” to indicate what something is regarding or concerning, you’re showing the topic of conversation, thought, or action.
Test: Can you swap “about” with “concerning” or “on the subject of”? If yes, this is your meaning.
Example 1: “We spent the whole meeting talking about the marketing strategy.” (What did we talk about? The strategy.)
Example 2: “I’m worried about the deadline next Friday.” (What am I worried about? The deadline.)
Example 3: “She asked me about my vacation plans.” (What did she ask about? The plans.)
Example 4: “He was thinking about his childhood memories.” (What was he thinking about? His memories.)
Example 5: “The article is about climate change and renewable energy.” (What is the article about? Climate and energy.)
Meaning 2: Approximation or “Roughly”
When “about” appears before a number, time, or quantity, it signals that the figure is not exact — it’s an estimate or approximation. In formal contexts, you might see “approximately” or “circa,” but in everyday English, “about” is much more natural.
Test: Can you swap “about” with “approximately,” “roughly,” or “around”? If yes, this is your meaning.
Example 1: “The conference will last about three hours.” (Not exactly three hours — give or take.)
Example 2: “This house costs about $500,000.” (The actual price could be slightly more or less.)
Example 3: “There were about 200 people at the concert.” (Not 200 exactly; somewhere close to that number.)
Example 4: “She’s about 5’7″ tall.” (Her height is approximately that, not exactly.)
Example 5: “The train leaves in about 20 minutes.” (Not precisely 20 minutes; sometime soon.)
Meaning 3: Location, Position, or “Around”
Less common in modern English, but still used, “about” can indicate a sense of being in the vicinity, scattered around, or moving in various directions within a space. This meaning is more common in British English or in literary contexts.
Example 1: “The children were running about the garden, playing games.” (They were moving around the garden in different directions.)
Example 2: “There were papers strewn about the office.” (Papers were scattered around the office.)
Example 3: “He wandered about the old museum, admiring the artwork.” (He moved around the museum, looking at various exhibits.)
Comparing “About” to Similar Prepositions
| Preposition | Meaning | Example | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| About | Concerning (topic) | “I’m thinking about the party.” | Focuses on what you’re thinking of. |
| On | Concerning (formal) | “I have an opinion on this issue.” | More formal; often used with opinions or positions. |
| Of | Possession; belonging | “The color of the house is blue.” | Shows what something belongs to or is made of. |
| Around | Location; in the vicinity | “There are trees around the lake.” | More clearly spatial; about is less common for pure location. |
| Concerning | About (formal synonym) | “I have questions concerning the policy.” | More formal version of “about”; used in official writing. |
When ‘About’ Is NOT a Preposition
Here’s where learners get tripped up. “About” can also masquerade as other parts of speech. Recognizing these helps you avoid mistakes.
About as an Adverb (Approximation)
When “about” means “approximately” or “roughly,” it can function as an adverb rather than a preposition — especially when it’s modifying an adjective or another adverb.
Example: “I’m about ready to leave.” (Here, “about” is an adverb modifying “ready”; swap in “approximately ready”.) But in “I’m thinking about leaving,” “about” is a preposition (what are you thinking about? leaving).
About in the Idiom “Be About to Do”
The phrase “be about to do something” uses “about” as part of a special grammar structure, not strictly as a preposition. It means something is going to happen very soon.
Example: “I’m about to go to bed.” (Not “concerning going to bed,” but rather “on the verge of going.”)
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
✗ Incorrect: “I want to know your opinion of the proposal.”
✓ Correct: “I want to know your opinion about the proposal.”
Why: When seeking someone’s thoughts or views on a topic, “about” is natural. “Of” would work, but “about” sounds more conversational and is preferred in spoken English.
✗ Incorrect: “She was thinking on her future career.”
✓ Correct: “She was thinking about her future career.”
Why: “Thinking about” is the natural collocation. “On” is more formal and less common with “thinking.”
✗ Incorrect: “There were about 500 dollars collected in the donation box.”
✓ Correct: “There were about 500 dollars collected in the donation box.” (OR: “Approximately 500 dollars were collected.”)
Why: Word order matters. “About” + number should come before the noun in most contexts. Both versions are correct, but moving “about” to the front is clearer.
Sample Dialogue
Teacher: So, in the sentence “We talked about the weather,” what part of speech is “about”?
Student: Is it a conjunction? Like, it’s joining the verb “talked” to the topic?
Teacher: Not quite. It’s a preposition. “About” shows the relationship between “talked” and “the weather.” It tells us what we talked about.
Student: Okay, so if I say “It cost about $50,” is “about” still a preposition?
Teacher: In that sentence, “about” is functioning as an adverb — it modifies the number “$50” to mean “roughly” or “approximately.” The same word, different job depending on the context.
Student: That’s tricky. Is there a way to tell the difference?
Teacher: Sure. Ask yourself: Does “about” introduce a noun or pronoun (preposition), modify an adjective or adverb (adverb), or mean “roughly” (adverb)? In “talked about the weather,” it introduces the noun “weather,” so it’s a preposition. In “about $50,” it modifies the number, so it’s an adverb.
Quick Quiz
Choose the correct word or identify the function of “about”:
- We spent an hour talking about / on the project deadline. Which is more natural?
- The movie is about two hours long. Is “about” a preposition or adverb here?
- I have concerns about / of the new policy. Which sounds better?
- Children were running about the playground, laughing and playing. In this sentence, what does “about” mean?
- She’s about to arrive, so prepare yourself. Is “about” a preposition, adverb, or part of an idiom?
Answers: 1. “about” (more natural and common) · 2. Adverb (meaning “roughly” or “approximately”) · 3. “about” (more natural; “of” is less common here) · 4. Location/position — she ran around the playground in various directions · 5. Part of an idiom meaning “on the verge of”; it’s a quasi-adverbial/phrasal structure, not a standalone preposition.
Related Articles
- ↑ Master Pillar: English Grammar
- Is ‘With’ a Preposition? Learn the Truth About English Grammar
- How to Use Prepositions of Time — AT / IN / ON
- ↑ Back to pillar: English Prepositions (Pillar)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ‘about’ always a preposition?
No. “About” can be a preposition (showing a relationship between words), an adverb (meaning “roughly”), or part of an idiom like “be about to.” The context determines its role. When it introduces a noun or pronoun to show what something concerns, it’s a preposition.
Can you end a sentence with ‘about’?
Yes, though it’s less common. Examples: “What are you worried about?” or “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” English allows prepositions at the end of sentences, especially in questions and informal speech.
What is the difference between ‘about’ and ‘concerning’?
“Concerning” is a more formal synonym for “about” when used as a preposition. “About” is used in everyday speech and writing, while “concerning” appears in official letters, legal documents, and formal announcements. Both convey the same core meaning: “regarding” or “on the subject of.”
Does ‘about’ have regional differences in usage?
Generally, “about” is used consistently across English-speaking regions. However, the location/position sense (“running about the park”) is more common in British English than in American English, where “running around the park” is preferred.
How do I teach ‘about’ to beginners?
Start with the most common sense (topic/subject): “We’re talking about English.” Then introduce approximation: “It costs about $100.” Use real-world examples from your classroom. Practice with visual aids showing a person or object “about” something (e.g., a child thinking about candy). Avoid the rare location sense until students are more advanced.
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