1. Explain the difference.
Surrounding is nearby, around, around. About, about, about.
example sentence
We walked around the park and enjoyed the scenery. We walked around the park and enjoyed the scenery. )
I have about ten minutes before my meeting starts. There are about ten minutes before my meeting starts. )
2. Grammatical differences
Around is usually used as a preposition or adverb. About is usually used as a preposition, adverb or adjective.
example sentence
They travel around the world and learn about different cultures. They travel around the world and learn about different cultures. )
She looked around the room for her lost key. She searched around the room for her lost key. )
This man is about 40 years old. That man is about 40 years old. )
3. Differences in usage
Around is used to express concepts such as location, time, quantity or surroundings. About is used to indicate something or someone, or to indicate a general quantity or approximate estimate.
example sentence
There are many shops around the corner. )
This book is about the history of ancient civilization. This book is about the history of ancient civilization. )
She earns about $500 a week by working part-time. )
4. Take advantage of environmental differences
Around can be used to describe various environments such as place, direction and time. About is mainly used to describe something or someone, or to roughly estimate the quantity.
example sentence
The children are playing around the tree. The children are playing under the tree. )
Let's talk about the plans for the upcoming activities. )