The phrase "was about" primarily functions as a phrasal verb and can have multiple meanings depending on the context. Generally, it implies the condition of being approximately or nearly in a particular state, action, or location. Its usage can be found in various situations and with distinct interpretations.
Firstly, "was about" can refer to the approximate time or moments when an event or action took place. For instance, if someone recounts a past experience and says, "I was about to leave when he arrived," it implies the person was on the verge of departing, but the arrival of another individual disrupted this plan.
Secondly, it can indicate the topic or subject of a conversation or discussion. If someone remarks, "We were just talking about you," it signifies that the conversation revolved around the person being addressed.
Additionally, "was about" can express the main theme, meaning, or goal of an activity, work, or creative piece. For example, when someone says, "The novel was about love and forgiveness," it suggests that those concepts constituted the central focus or message within the literary work.
Lastly, the phrase can also serve as an expression of uncertainty or approximation when estimating some quantity, value, or size. If a person exclaims, "The book was about 300 pages long," it implies that it is a rough estimate or an approximation of the actual page count.
In summary, "was about" is a versatile phrasal verb with various connotations. It can refer to approximate timing, indicate the topic of discussion, express the central theme of an activity, or imply an estimation or approximation of a quantity.
