see about: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal to neutral
Quick answer
What does “see about” mean?
To attend to, deal with, or arrange something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To attend to, deal with, or arrange something; to investigate or consider a matter.
To take responsibility for making arrangements or decisions regarding a task or situation; to follow up on something that needs attention.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use it identically.
Connotations
Slightly more common in British English in formal promises ('I'll see about it'), but equally understood in American English.
Frequency
Moderately frequent in both dialects, with near-identical usage patterns.
Grammar
How to Use “see about” in a Sentence
see about + noun/noun phrasesee about + gerundsee about + pronoun (it/that)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “see about” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I'll see about booking the theatre tickets.
- Could you see about the leak in the roof?
- She said she'd see about getting a visa.
American English
- I'll see about ordering more supplies.
- Can you see about that noise complaint?
- He promised to see about getting a permit.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to indicate follow-up on tasks or client requests.
Academic
Rare; more likely in administrative contexts (seeing about funding).
Everyday
Common for domestic tasks, appointments, and errands.
Technical
Not typically used in technical registers.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “see about”
- Using continuous form incorrectly ('I am seeing about' is rare).
- Confusing with 'see to' (which is more immediate).
- Omitting 'about' when needed.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral to informal. Perfect for everyday speech and emails, but less common in very formal documents.
Yes, e.g., 'He saw about the repairs last week.' However, it's more commonly used for future intentions ('will see about').
'See to' implies immediate, direct action on a task. 'See about' often implies initial investigation or making arrangements for future action.
No, it is not a separable phrasal verb. The object always comes after 'about' (see about the car, see about it).
To attend to, deal with, or arrange something.
See about: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsiː əˌbaʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsi əˌbaʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “I'll see about it (promise to handle)”
- “We'll see about that (expressing doubt or determination)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine you SEE a problem and then walk ABOUT deciding how to fix it.
Conceptual Metaphor
VISUAL INSPECTION FOR FUTURE ACTION (seeing as investigating, about as concerning).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'see about' correctly?