Particle guide
Phrasal verbs with about
The particle about starts from one core idea — concerning, around, near. Sink In groups its verbs by the recurring ways that idea plays out, so verbs that look unrelated line up into patterns.
41 phrasal verbs · 8 meaning groups
Topic
The mind stays with one subject. That subject is the focus of words or thoughts.
Everywhere
Movement spreads in many directions, without one clear target.
Usual verb + particle uses
The verb keeps its normal meaning. The particle adds its usual direction or relation.
run about
Move busily in many directions
“Children ran about the garden.”
“Nurses ran about getting the ward ready.”
scatter about
Throw or spread things widely across an area
“Leaves were scattered about the lawn.”
“The wind scattered receipts about the car park.”
walk about
Move on foot through an area without specific destination
“Tourists walked about the square.”
“Tourists walked about the old market.”
wander about
Move around an area with no clear plan
“He wandered about the museum.”
“Omar wandered about the harbour.”
Starting
You turn toward a task and start it.
About Number
The amount is close to the number, but it is not exact.
Opposite Way
You turn to face the opposite direction.
Very Soon
An action is at the point just before it begins.
Handling
Attention turns toward a task so someone can arrange or deal with it.
Normal Activity
A person moves through the usual parts of work or daily life.
Sink In — iOS & Android
Practice the about patterns in Sink In
The app turns each meaning group into short review cards: recognition, particle cloze, meaning-to-particle recall, and schema matching.
- Learn the pattern behind dozens of verbs at once — not one-off translations.
- Spaced repetition (SM-2) brings each meaning back right before you forget.
- Four practice modes train recall and discrimination, not just recognition.
