I drove (around or about) twenty hours
Hi guys,

I have a doubt about when use around or about related with time meaning. I´ve read that around is more related with "approximate time" and about with "approximate duration".

So attending to this rule i will go for: I drove about twenty hours

But I would like to know your opinions, english speakers!!!

Thanks in advance.

Question

I drove (around or about) twenty hours
Hi guys,

I have a doubt about when use around or about related with time meaning. I´ve read that around is more related with "approximate time" and about with "approximate duration".

So attending to this rule i will go for: I drove about twenty hours

But I would like to know your opinions, english speakers!!!

Thanks in advance.

Answer

As I often say, there are no rules in English! People will, and do say what they like.
But - your guideline does make sense, and agrees with what I would say. I would probably add 'for' in there though  - 'I drove for about twenty hours', although that would depend somewhat on what (if any) other words you used in the sentence.

Answers · 1

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