about

a|bout [ ə`baut ] function word ***

About can be used in the following ways:

as a preposition (followed by a noun):

He told me about your problem.

as an adverb (without a following noun):

Stop rushing about.

followed by an infinitive with to :

I was just about to explain.

1. ) concerning a particular subject

a ) used for stating who or what you are discussing, considering, describing, forgetting, etc.:

Think about what I've told you.

She kept saying horrible things about my mother.

jokes about the president

all about: They'd forgotten all about poor Harry.

b ) used for stating who or what your feelings and attitudes are directed toward:

I'm worried about Dad.

There's nothing to get excited about.

c ) SPOKEN used for introducing a subject that you want to discuss:

About that money I owe you I can pay you back next week.

It's about Jack he's been so depressed lately.

2. ) not exactly a particular amount or number

a ) used for showing that you are guessing at an amount or number:

About 250 people were killed in the explosion.

Ann must be about the same age as you.

b ) used for referring to a time that is not exact:

I woke up at about 3 a.m.

3. ) almost or probably used when you are making an extreme statement that you think is almost completely true or is probably true:

Pam's about the only person that I can trust.

On this continent, Redmond is about as far west as you can go.

He's offended just about everybody.

4. ) in someone's/something's character used when referring to qualities that someone or something has:

One thing I like about Tony, he always says exactly what he thinks.

There was something about her tone of voice that made him uneasy.

5. ) used for showing movement MAINLY BRITISH

a ) moving to many different parts or areas, or in different directions:

The girls were dancing about the room in high spirits.

Abe was tired of wandering about on his own.

b ) LITERARY moving so that you face in the opposite direction:

Diana turned about and marched out of the room.

6. ) used for saying where someone/something is MAINLY BRITISH

a ) used for saying that things are in many different parts or areas, especially because they have been left there carelessly:

Don't leave important papers lying about on your desk.

There were articles of clothing scattered about the room.

b ) in or close to an area:

You shouldn't have been spraying weedkiller while there were children about.

c ) LITERARY surrounding or enclosing someone or something:

Rhonda wore a garland of flowers about her neck.

The prophet had gathered about him a band of faithful followers.

7. ) how someone is spending their time BRITISH

a ) spending time in a place and not leaving it or not doing much:

Dad was puttering about in the garden.

b ) wasting time and behaving in a stupid way:

Stop messing about. We've got a job to do.

8. ) existing or available now BRITISH MAINLY SPOKEN used for saying that a particular type of person or thing exists or is available at this time:

There's a lot of illness about.

9. ) searching, looking, or trying to find someone/something

a ) BRITISH used for saying that someone looks in different places to find someone or something:

George was groping about in the dark, trying to find the light switch.

b ) MAINLY LITERARY used for saying that someone looks in all directions to see who or what is there:

Looking about me, I could see no sign of the others.

be about something

used for saying what the most basic or important aspect of a particular job, activity, or relationship is:

Loving and sharing that's what marriage is about.

all about: Good management is all about motivating your staff.

be about to do something

to be going to happen or do something very soon:

I was about to get undressed when there was a knock on the door.

We arrived just as the ceremony was about to begin.

be quick/slow about it

to be quick/slow in the way you do something:

Bring me a towel and be quick about it.

Our lawyers are dealing with the matter, but they're being very slow about it.

do something/nothing/anything about something

to do something/nothing/anything in order to deal with a problem:

Can't you do something about the noise? It's driving me crazy.

Government officials know the system isn't working, but they do nothing about it.

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