Common Mistakes : About
About – Adjective
BAD: I was about leaving when the telephone rang
GOOD: I was about to leave when the telephone rang
( be about to do sth. (NOT doing
Compare: I was just leaving when the telephone rang
About – Preposition
۱
BAD: I am always delighted when I receive a letter from you. About the party on December 26th, I shall be very pleased to attend
GOOD: I am always delighted when I receive a letter from you. With regard to the party on December 26th, I shall be very pleased to attend
BAD: People usually sleep with the doors and windows closed. About public transport, the bus and train services are excellent
GOOD: People usually sleep with the doors and windows closed. As for public transport, the bus and train services are excellent
About may be used to introduce a topic (or change of topic), but only in informal styles: About that book you asked for – I’ll get you a copy when I go to London
In other styles, use with regard to, regarding, as for, as regards or as far as … is concerned : ‘With regard to the matter of unemployment, I would like to add a few remarks to those of the previous speaker.’ I regret to inform you that Language and Culture is out of print. As regards your second question, I suggest that you write to the British Museum
۲
BAD: It all depends on how different the new country is from your own. About myself, I haven’t experienced any culture shock but then this is my second trip to the States
GOOD: It all depends on how different the new country is from your own. In my own case, I haven’t experienced any culture shock but then this is my second trip to the States
To show that you are going to start talking about your own personal experience or situation, use in my own case or (especially in informal styles) as for me/myself : ‘Many people have benefited from the operation. In my own case, I began to feel better immediately.’ Most of my friends like school. As for me, I can’t wait to leave