at / around

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

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suhann
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at / around

Post by suhann »

Greetings!

Do we have to use the word "at" when relating to time?

I came across a few statements in the newspapers :-

" ... victim was found in the swimming pool around 3am on Sunday."

" ... victim's body was sighted by a passerby around 9am yesterday in shallow waters."

" She had last been seen around 2am on Sunday."

" ... on his way to collect his Confirmation certificate about 8pm on the evening of Aug 28 ..."


Or is it more accurate to say " ... AT around / about ..." ??

Thank you!
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Alan
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Post by Alan »

Informally 'at' is often ellipted before 'about/around'.
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