Speakers of American English usually use around, rather than `round’ or `about’, in this sense. When one thing is around or round another thing, it surrounds it or is on all sides of it. In this sense, these words are prepositions. You can’t use `about’ in this sense.
When to use around or about?
Around, about, and approximately are all acceptable, but approximately can sound a bit pretentious. Referring to an inexact value in nontechnical writing? About is perhaps the best choice, around being too informal and approximately being a tad too formal.
What does around or about mean?
approximately Around about means approximately. [spoken]
What means the phrase –‘ potter about *?
Definition of potter around/about : to spend time in a relaxed way doing small jobs and other things that are not very important He spent his holidays pottering around the house/garden.
How do you use around about?
How do we use around?
Around can be used in the following ways: as a preposition (followed by a noun): We walked around the old town. as an adverb (without a following noun): She turned around and smiled at me. (after the verb ‘to be’): Don’t discuss this when the children are around.
What does at around mean?
Near or close to; approximately; around. Usually refers to a numerical value or point in time. We’re planning to arrive at around noon.
Is around informal?
We also use around in casual situations. So, these are informal situations. Although, it’s okay to use this in more formal situations.
Is at around correct?
It might be grammatically acceptable to say at around 5pm, but it’s semantically garbled. At identifies a specific time, while around refers to an approximate time. If you combine the two you’ve made your meaning unclear.
Is there a difference between about and approximately?
Both are correct. I’d say the main difference between the two words, though, is approximately can ONLY be used in this kind of context (to mean not exact / precise). About has a much wider range of usage: I’m about to leave, It’s about time you showed up!, What are you talking about? and etc.
What is the difference between around and approximately?
As adverbs the difference between around and approximately is that around is generally while approximately is imprecise but close to in quantity or amount.
What is the difference between around and surround?
Surround can be used as a verb like We should surround him meaning we should cover him (I couldn’t think of a better synonym). … Around is not used as a verb but it can be used like this He goes around the track. You can use around when describing a motion that goes in a circle.
What does portering mean?
verb. portered; portering; porters. Definition of porter (Entry 3 of 10) transitive verb. : to transport or carry as or as if by a porter.
What is a guzzling?
: to drink especially liquor greedily, continually, or habitually. transitive verb. 1 : to drink greedily or habitually guzzle beer.
What does spotter mean?
Definition of spotter 1 : one that makes or applies a spot (as for identification) 2 : one that looks or keeps watch: such as. a : one that locates enemy targets. b : a civilian who watches for approaching airplanes. c : a person who assists another during exercise (as to prevent injury)
How do you use around in a sentence?
around preposition, adverb (IN THIS DIRECTION)
- We sat around the table.
- He put his arm around her.
- A crowd had gathered around the scene of the accident.
- She had a scarf around her neck.
- The moon goes around the earth.
- I walked around the side of the building.
What is around in grammar?
(rand ) language note: Around is an adverb and a preposition. In British English, the word ’round’ is often used instead. Around is often used with verbs of movement, such as ‘walk’ and ‘drive,’ and also in phrasal verbs such as ‘get around’ and ‘turn around. ‘
What is this word around?
adverb. in a circle, ring, or the like; so as to surround a person, group, thing, etc.: The crowd gathered around. on all sides; about: His land is fenced all around. in all directions from a center or point of reference: He owns the land for miles around.
What word type is around?
Around can be a preposition or an adverb.
Where are you around meaning?
I think Are you around? means exactly Are you close to me?, asking geographically whether you are easy to contact or not.
What is the preposition of around?
around preposition, adverb [not gradable] (IN THIS DIRECTION) in a position or direction surrounding, along the outside of, or from one part of to another: We sat around the table.
What does around 8 am mean?
It really means 8 o’clock, just as it says.When the big hand of the clock is on 12 and the little hand of the clock is on 8, we say It’s 8 o’clock. Originally, of the clock, meaning according to the clock.CJ. In British English, ‘around’ (= approximately) does not mean the sames as ‘at’. 18th November 2013.
How do you use prepositions?
Through can be used in the following ways:
- as a preposition (followed by a noun): They were riding through a forest.
- as an adverb (without a following noun): There’s a hole in the roof where the rain comes through.
- as an adjective: a through train.
What does around that time mean?
‘Around this time’ – This is used when you are talking about an event that happened close to a particular period of time, or at nearly the same time as a particular event, e.g. It’s 9 o’clock. Bob usually drops in for a pint around this time.
Is approx a word?
Approx. is a written abbreviation for approximately.
Are you out and about meaning?
If someone is out and about, they are going out and doing things, especially after they have been unable to for a while.
What time is around noon?
‘Noon’ means ‘midday’ or 12 o’clock during the day. ‘Midnight’ refers to 12 o’clock (or 0:00) during the night. When using a 12-hour clock, 12 pm typically refers to noon and 12 am means midnight.
What does around 3 pm mean?
At around 3pm means at approximately 3pm.
What is the meaning of around 10 o clock?
Normally, I’d say something like. ‘I’ll be at home around/about 10 or so’ ‘I’ll be at home around/about 10 or earlier’ ‘I’ll be at home around/about 10-ish’ These would be said to someone who is asking you if you will be at home at a certain time.
