Thereabouts vs Thereabout: Which One Is The Correct One?

Are you confused about whether to use “thereabouts” or “thereabout” in your writing? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. These two words are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences between them that can make a big impact on your writing. Let’s dive in and explore the nuances of these two words.

Which of the two is the proper word? Well, the answer is both! “Thereabouts” and “thereabout” are both acceptable and correct words in the English language. They are adverbs that indicate an approximate location or amount.

So, what’s the difference between the two? “Thereabouts” is a little more specific than “thereabout.” It means “near that place or time” or “in the vicinity of a particular number or amount.” For example, “The party will start at 7:00 or thereabouts” means that the party may start a little before or after 7:00, but it will be close to that time.

“Thereabout,” on the other hand, is a bit more general. It means “near that place or time” or “approximately.” For example, “The cost of the project was $10,000 or thereabout” means that the cost was around $10,000, but it may have been a little more or less.

Now that we have a better understanding of the difference between “thereabouts” and “thereabout,” let’s explore some ways to use them effectively in your writing.

Define Thereabouts

Thereabouts is an adverb that is used to indicate an approximate location, amount, or time. It is often used to express a rough estimate or an approximation of something. In other words, it is used to describe something that is close to a particular location, amount, or time, but not exactly at that location, amount, or time.

For example, if someone says, “The meeting will start at 2 pm, thereabouts,” it means that the meeting will start around 2 pm, but not exactly at 2 pm. Similarly, if someone says, “The cost of the car is $20,000, thereabouts,” it means that the cost of the car is approximately $20,000, but not exactly $20,000.

Thereabouts is often used in informal contexts, and it is commonly used in spoken English. It is also used in written English, particularly in journalistic writing and in academic writing.

Define Thereabout

Thereabout is a noun that is used to indicate an approximate location, amount, or time. It is often used to express a rough estimate or an approximation of something. In other words, it is used to describe something that is close to a particular location, amount, or time, but not exactly at that location, amount, or time.

For example, if someone says, “The car is worth $20,000, thereabout,” it means that the car is worth approximately $20,000, but not exactly $20,000. Similarly, if someone says, “The meeting will start at 2 pm, thereabout,” it means that the meeting will start around 2 pm, but not exactly at 2 pm.

Thereabout is often used in formal contexts, and it is commonly used in written English. It is also used in journalistic writing and in academic writing.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the right word in a sentence can make a huge difference in the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use the words “thereabouts” and “thereabout” in a sentence.

How To Use “Thereabouts” In A Sentence

The word “thereabouts” is an adverb that means “near that place or time” or “approximately.” Here are some examples of how to use “thereabouts” in a sentence:

• He arrived at the party at 8 pm thereabouts.
• The cost of the car was thereabouts $20,000.
• The concert will start at 7 pm thereabouts.

Note that “thereabouts” is often used to indicate an approximation, so it is not a precise measurement. It is also commonly used in informal language and may not be appropriate in formal writing.

How To Use “Thereabout” In A Sentence

The word “thereabout” is an adverb that means “near that place or time” or “around that number or amount.” Here are some examples of how to use “thereabout” in a sentence:

• The temperature outside is thereabout 75 degrees.
• The population of the city is thereabout 50,000.
• He was born in the year 1980 thereabout.

Like “thereabouts,” “thereabout” is often used to indicate an approximation. However, it is more commonly used to indicate a specific number or amount that is close to the actual number or amount. It is also commonly used in informal language and may not be appropriate in formal writing.

More Examples Of Thereabouts & Thereabout Used In Sentences

In this section, we will provide more examples of how to use “thereabouts” and “thereabout” in sentences.

Examples Of Using “Thereabouts” In A Sentence:

• The cost of the car was around $20,000, give or take a few hundred dollars thereabouts.
• The population of the city is thereabouts 50,000 people.
• She finished the race in 2 hours and 30 minutes, give or take 5 minutes thereabouts.
• The temperature outside is thereabouts 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
• The project should be completed in a week or thereabouts.
• The distance between the two cities is thereabouts 200 miles.
• The concert will start at 7 pm or thereabouts.
• The company’s revenue for the year was thereabouts $5 million.
• The weight of the package is thereabouts 10 pounds.
• The movie will last for 2 hours or thereabouts.

Examples Of Using “Thereabout” In A Sentence:

• The meeting will be held at 2 pm or thereabout.
• The price of the product is $50 or thereabout.
• The trip will take 3 hours or thereabout.
• The store opens at 9 am or thereabout.
• The building is thereabout 100 years old.
• The dress size is thereabout a medium.
• The book has thereabout 300 pages.
• The distance between the two cities is thereabout 200 kilometers.
• The temperature outside is thereabout 20 degrees Celsius.
• The painting was sold for $10,000 or thereabout.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using thereabouts and thereabout, people often make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, there are subtle differences between the two words that can affect the meaning of a sentence. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using “Thereabout” As A Noun

One common mistake is using “thereabout” as a noun, as in “I live in the thereabouts of the city.” However, “thereabout” is an adverb, not a noun. The correct way to express this idea would be “I live in the vicinity of the city.”

Using “Thereabouts” To Mean “Approximately”

Another common mistake is using “thereabouts” to mean “approximately,” as in “The package should arrive thereabouts at noon.” However, “thereabouts” refers to a general area or vicinity, not a specific time. The correct way to express this idea would be “The package should arrive around noon.”

Using “Thereabout” To Mean “There”

People also make the mistake of using “thereabout” to mean “there,” as in “I left my keys in the thereabouts.” However, “thereabout” refers to a general area or vicinity, not a specific location. The correct way to express this idea would be “I left my keys over there.”

Offering Tips To Avoid Mistakes

To avoid making these common mistakes, it’s important to understand the differences between thereabouts and thereabout. Here are some tips:

• Remember that “thereabouts” is an adverb, not a noun.
• Use “thereabouts” to refer to a general area or vicinity, not a specific location or time.
• If you’re unsure which word to use, try substituting “around” or “about” and see if the sentence still makes sense.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between “thereabouts” and “thereabout,” context plays a crucial role in determining which one to use. While the two terms are often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences in their meanings that can affect the overall tone and clarity of your writing.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts in which the choice between “thereabouts” and “thereabout” might change:

Context	Example	Preferred Term
Approximate Location	The store is located thereabouts.	Thereabouts
Approximate Time	The meeting will start at thereabout 3 PM.	Thereabout
Approximate Quantity	There were thereabouts 50 people at the party.	Thereabouts
General Statement	The company’s revenue was thereabout $1 million last year.	Thereabout
Specific Statement	The company’s revenue was thereabouts $1,025,000 last year.	Thereabouts

As you can see from these examples, the choice between “thereabouts” and “thereabout” often depends on the specific context in which they are used. In general, “thereabouts” tends to be used when referring to approximate locations, quantities, or general statements, while “thereabout” is more commonly used when referring to approximate times or specific statements.

By paying close attention to the context in which you are writing, you can ensure that you are using the most appropriate term and conveying your message clearly and effectively.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using thereabouts and thereabout are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where these rules might not apply. In these cases, it is important to understand the context in which these words are being used in order to determine the correct usage.

Exception 1: Idiomatic Expressions

One exception to the rules for using thereabouts and thereabout is when they are used in idiomatic expressions. In these cases, the meaning of the phrase is not always clear based on the individual words alone. For example:

• “He was thereabouts when the accident happened” – In this case, “thereabouts” is being used to mean “in the vicinity of” or “close to”.
• “The cost was thereabout what we expected” – Here, “thereabout” is being used to mean “approximately” or “around”.

When encountering these types of expressions, it is important to understand the intended meaning of the phrase as a whole in order to determine the correct usage of thereabouts or thereabout.

Exception 2: Regional Differences

Another exception to the rules for using thereabouts and thereabout is that there may be regional differences in usage. For example, in British English, thereabouts is more commonly used than thereabout. In American English, the opposite is true.

Additionally, there may be differences in usage based on the specific context in which the words are being used. For example, in certain technical or scientific contexts, one form may be preferred over the other.

Exception 3: Personal Preference

Finally, there may be cases where the choice between thereabouts and thereabout comes down to personal preference. While there are general rules for usage, there may be instances where either form could be considered correct.

In these cases, it is important to consider the context in which the words are being used, as well as the intended meaning and tone of the overall message, in order to make the best decision.

Practice Exercises

One of the best ways to improve your understanding and use of thereabouts and thereabout is through practice exercises. Here are a few exercises to help you get started:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word to fill in the blank in each of the following sentences:

1. The concert is ___________ starting at 8 pm.
2. The temperature is ___________ 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. He lives ___________.
4. The estimate for the project is ___________ $10,000.

Answer Key:

1. thereabouts
2. thereabout
3. thereabouts
4. thereabout

Exercise 2: Rewrite The Sentence

Rewrite the following sentences using either thereabouts or thereabout:

1. The store is located about a mile away.
2. The party will start around 7 pm.
3. The cost of the car is approximately $20,000.

Answer Key:

1. The store is located thereabouts.
2. The party will start thereabout.
3. The cost of the car is thereabouts $20,000.

By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of thereabouts and thereabout in sentences. Keep in mind that thereabout is usually used as an adverb, while thereabouts is usually used as a noun or adverb. With enough practice, you’ll be able to use these words with confidence and precision!

Conclusion

After exploring the nuances between thereabouts and thereabout, it is clear that these two words are not interchangeable. Thereabouts refers to a general area or vicinity, while thereabout refers to an approximate location or time. It is important to use these words correctly to avoid confusion and convey a clear message.

As with any aspect of language use, it is important to continue learning and improving our grammar skills. By doing so, we can communicate effectively and confidently in both written and spoken forms.