What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
about
Example
We were talking about the upcoming election. [about: preposition]
Example
I have about ten dollars left in my wallet. [about: adverb]
Example
There were people milling about the park. [about: adverb]
concerning
Example
The report was concerning the impact of climate change on the local ecosystem. [concerning: preposition]
Example
The new policy has implications concerning employee benefits. [concerning: adjective]
Example
She expressed concern concerning her son's safety. [concerning: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
About is more commonly used than concerning in everyday language. About is a common preposition that is used in a variety of contexts, while concerning is more limited in its usage and is often reserved for formal or academic writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between about and concerning?
Concerning is more formal than about and is often used in academic or professional writing. About is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.