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1. Approximately
- About 30 people went to the party
(Use it for a guess or an estimate that is not exact)
2. Almost
- I’m just about finished with my work.
(With this meaning, we typically say “just about” + adjective)
3. In the general area
- A handful of tourists were wandering about the city center.
(This is more common in British English; in American English we would typically use “around.” But the next two expressions below ARE commonly used by Americans) - We weren’t home at all yesterday – we were out and about.
(This means outside your home) - He’s finally up and about a week after his knee surgery.
(We use “up and about” when someone has recovered from a sickness or accident enough to stand up and move around)
4. Concerning, regarding
- She wrote a book about her experience in the military.
5. Very soon
- I’m about to go to the store – want to come with me?
(The structure of the phrases is “about + to + verb”)
6. Go about doing something = Proceed to do it in a particular way
- I’m new at the company. How should I go about requesting a different desk?
(We usually use this phrase in questions about how a process should be done, or how someone plans to do it)
7. Be all about = Be passionate / excited / focused on
- I only buy things on sale – I’m all about getting the best deal possible.
8. Do an about-face = Turn and go the opposite way
- The gate was locked, so I did an about-face and went back to my car.
(This can be used both for physically turning around as well as completely changing your opinion to the opposite)
9. It’s about time = This should have happened already
- After a month, they finally fixed the leaking sink – it’s about time!
10. How about…? / What about…? = Introduce possibilities or problems
- How about ordering pizza tonight?
- You’re going to take a nap? What about all the work you have to do?
(In general, “how about” is used to introduce possibilities, and “what about” is used to bring up problems/obstacles, but this is not a strict rule!)
YOUR TURN TO PRACTICE THIS PREPOSITION!
- About how much time do you spend studying English each week?
- What’s a project you have that’s just about done?
- Where would you go if you had to spend the whole day out and about?
- What are your favorite topics to talk about and read about?
- What’s something you’re about to do?
- Think of something you’re not sure how to do, and how to go about doing it.
- Finish the sentence: I’m all about…
- Have you ever done an about-face?
- What’s something that happened about which you could say “it’s about time!”
- Imagine you’re making a suggestion to a friend, using “How about…”
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PREPOSITIONS IN CONVERSATION
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Maya: Hey, you look busy. Are you just about finished?
(= almost finished)
Alex: Kinda — I’m done writing the report, but there are about 30 minor details I still need to double-check. (= approximately)
Maya: That sounds like more than “minor!” I’m glad you’re back at work – and I even saw you out and about downtown yesterday.
(= going to various places outside the house)
Alex: Yeah, the doctor said I could be up and about again after the surgery, as long as I don’t overdo it. (= moving around, not laying/sitting down)
Maya: That’s great! So… what’s the report about, exactly?
(= concerning, regarding)
Alex: It’s about customer behavior over the past year — especially how people shop during sales. I’m really all about finding patterns that help us make better decisions. (= passionate about, interested in)
Maya: Makes sense. I’m about to head to the café — want to grab a coffee before the meeting? (= going to very soon)
Alex: I’d love to, but I’m not sure how to go about finishing this in time. Any suggestions? (= proceed)
Maya: Honestly? If it’s taking this long, it’s about time you got some help.
(= it’s the right time to FINALLY do this). How about asking someone else to read it over? (= introducing a suggestion)
Alex: You’re probably right. I was going to do it all alone, but maybe I should do an about-face and ask the team for input.
(= change to the opposite direction)
Maya: Good call. And what about the deadline — is it flexible at all?
(= asking about a possible problem/obstacle)
Alex: I don’t think so – the boss really needs it done by Monday.
CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Mark each sentence as “True” or “False”
- Alex has finished writing the report.
- Alex was not supposed to be outside the house.
- The report is about people’s shopping habits.
- Alex enjoys this type of work.
- Maya will go to the café after the meeting.
- Maya offers to review Alex’s report.
- Alex agrees with Maya’s suggestion.
- Alex can ask for extra time to finish.
Answers below
ANSWERS
- TRUE – Alex has finished writing the report.
- FALSE – Alex was not supposed to be outside the house.
- TRUE – The report is about people’s shopping habits.
- TRUE – Alex enjoys this type of work.
- FALSE – Maya will go to the café after the meeting.
- FALSE – Maya offers to review Alex’s report.
- TRUE – Alex agrees with Maya’s suggestion.
- FALSE – Alex can ask for extra time to finish.
