Prepositions

Question

Could you please help me decide which preposition to use:

+ Sales peaked at 1,500 in January. OR Sales peaked around/about 1,500 in January.

+ Sales remained stable at the end of the year and we did not reach our target. OR Sales remained stable until the end of the year and we did not reach our target.

+ Imports fluctuated around 20,000 and 24,000. OR Imports fluctuated between 20,000 and 24,000.

Thanks a lot!

Blizzard

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

AnonymousSales peaked at 1,500 in January. OR Sales peaked around/about 1,500 in January.

If sales were exactly 1500, use at. If sales were 1480, 1490, 1505, 1515, or something else near 1500, use either around or about.

Anonymous Sales remained stable at the end of the year and we did not reach our target. OR Sales remained stable until the end of the year and we did not reach our target.

until could suggest that something changed at the end of the year. Sales were stable until the end of the year and then they were not stable anymore? It's not clear to me what you are trying to say regardless of the preposition you use. It's the connection between sales stability and the failure to reach your target that is not clear.

AnonymousImports fluctuated around 20,000 and 24,000. OR Imports fluctuated between 20,000 and 24,000.

You have two extremes and the fluctuation is between the two. Use between.

CJ

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