student asking question

How different "while I'm about it" and "while I'm at it" mean?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

"While I'm at it" is a more natural way of expressing the action of doing something if one is already doing something else. "While I'm about it" is less commonly used. Ex: I'm going to the mall to pick up some stuff. I might as well bring back some takeout for dinner while I'm at it. Ex: A: Can you go to the kitchen and pour me a glass of water? B: I'll get some chips too while I'm at it.

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