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Azz Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Is about

Can one say
a. Correct swimming is about making the right movements and having the right rhythm.
?

My feeling is that 'about' does not serve any purpose in this sentence. But I have the impression that people do say things like this. I mean, I have the impression that 'is about' is used loosely in English these days,

Many thanks.
  

Top answer

Yes, the phrasing is used (informally). No, you cannot drop the "about" because "is" cannot carry the meaning, which is more like: Correct swimming consists of / OR/requires making the right movements and having the right rhythm.

— Doctor D

  • Yes, the phrasing is used (informally).
  • No, you cannot drop the "about" because "is" cannot carry the meaning, which is more like: Correct swimming consists of / OR/requires making the right movements and having the right rhythm.
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2 Answers
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Yes, the phrasing is used (informally). No, you cannot drop the "about" because "is" cannot carry the meaning, which is more like:

Correct swimming consists of/OR/requires making the right movements and having the right rhythm.
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azzCan one say a. Correct swimming is about making the right movements and having the right rhythm.
One can. 'is about' ~ 'involves' ~ 'has to do with'

CJ
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