I was reading a Bernard Cornwell book the other day. He started a sentence with 'At about...' Is this acceptable? I'm an ex-cop and was always told it's either At 2 p.m. or About 2 p.m. it can't be both. Am I just being pedantic?
Acceptable?
- Thread starter Steve Collins
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Well, you'r forgetting, I think, how real people often speak, regardless of training. If he was speaking, I think he got it right. If he was writing a report, he got it wrong.
Just a question: Were you told that it couldn't be both "at" and "about" in relation to your job, which had potential legal ramifications if you were taking a report that would later be used at trial?
I'm just curious because of your statement that you're an ex-cop!
(not weighing in on the issue, just asking the question)
I'm just curious because of your statement that you're an ex-cop!
(not weighing in on the issue, just asking the question)
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Acceptable according to...? I think people give other people WAY too much control over what they do and how they do it and what's PROPER and yada yada. Did you enjoy the book?
I'm a grammar nerd and I've never heard of this 'rule.' It's not in either of the two grammar reference books I can reach. I, too, want to know where you learned it.
I see no reason "at" can't mean an approximation of time rather than a specific time. After all, isn't it perfectly all right to say at the end of the party, as guests located their coats and made their goodbyes or at the lightening of the skies suggesting dawn was not far off? Those are not exact times.
Maryn, muddying the water but having fun splashing
I see no reason "at" can't mean an approximation of time rather than a specific time. After all, isn't it perfectly all right to say at the end of the party, as guests located their coats and made their goodbyes or at the lightening of the skies suggesting dawn was not far off? Those are not exact times.
Maryn, muddying the water but having fun splashing
I guess then it was the legal side of things. At a certain time is a specific time, whereas About gives you leeway either side.
You would expect a police officer to look at his watch when he enters a scene so normally it would be 'At'. a member of the public would not be so specific and say it was 'about'.
PWB- Yes I like Cornwells books.
You would expect a police officer to look at his watch when he enters a scene so normally it would be 'At'. a member of the public would not be so specific and say it was 'about'.
PWB- Yes I like Cornwells books.
I'm sure I've also heard that "at" is precise, whereas "about" gives some leeway. It might well have been on a TV show or in a detective story, though. I have this vague memory of it being used to harangue some poor witness who had used "at about" 
If I was talking, I'd probably say "at about", and I'm from southern England like Cornwell.
If I was talking, I'd probably say "at about", and I'm from southern England like Cornwell.
I'm not so sure it's an English thing. I believe it's more a cop thing. My brother-in-law is a retired police officer, and he agrees with you, but it's because as a police officer, he had to use very specific language. What he said or wrote might well be used in court, and there are many things he says that do not come across as the average person would say it.