about
aboutpreposition
UK/əˈbaʊt/US/əˈbaʊt/
SUBJECT
A1on the subject of someone or something
- It's a book about the history of music.
- What are you talking about?
PURPOSE
B1used to say what the main reason or aim of something is
- Good teaching is all about making students think.
- What was that phone call about?
IN MANY PLACES
B1in many different parts of a place
- Clothes were lying about the room.
- He was wandering about the town.
aboutadverb
UK/əˈbaʊt/US/əˈbaʊt/
NEARLY
A1a little more or less than a number or amount
- It takes about twenty minutes to walk there.
- She's about the same age as me.
HERE AND THERE
B1in or to different places, often without a clear plan
- The kids were running about in the park.
- Don't leave your shoes lying about.
NEAR
B1near or in a place
- Is Tom about? I need to talk to him.
- There weren't many people about so early.