Why Is Surface This About Your Manager Wrong?

"Surface this about your manager" is not natural when the manager is the recipient. In that position, the preposition "about" normally marks a topic instead.

In business English, use "surface this to your manager" instead. You can also "raise this with your manager." Another natural choice is "bring this up with your manager."

Where "about" is fine, and where it isn't

The word "about" is correct when it marks the topic. For example, "surface a concern about the timeline" is natural. Here, "about the timeline" describes the concern's subject. It does not identify the person receiving that concern.

Incorrect: "I need to surface this about my manager before Friday."

Correct: "I need to surface this to my manager before Friday."

Correct, object still contains "about": "I need to surface a concern about the vendor contract to my manager."

The third example keeps "about" because it describes the concern, while "to my manager" separately identifies the recipient.

Why the mistake happens

The error often comes from familiar patterns with "about." We talk about a topic and tell someone about an issue. In both patterns, "about" introduces the subject being discussed. It does not simply mark the person receiving information. That same distinction applies when "surface" is transitive.

"Please surface any concerns about the rollout to the release manager by Thursday."

That sentence gives each phrase a clear job. "About the rollout" describes the concern's topic, while "to the release manager" identifies the recipient.

Don't confuse this with the to-vs-with choice

"Surface it to your manager" directs information toward that person. "Surface it with your manager" can suggest shared review or discussion. Many speakers prefer "raise it with" for that shared meaning. "Bring it up with" is another common and clear option. None uses "about" to mark the recipient.

"I'd rather surface this budget concern with finance directly than route it through three managers."

A quick test before you write it

When you see "surface [something] about [person]," identify the person's role. Use "about" if that person is the topic. Use "to" if that person receives the information. For shared discussion, use "raise it with" or "bring it up with."

Why the error is easy to miss when you're the one writing it

This mistake can sound plausible while you are drafting. English often links people to verbs with "about." Examples include "talk about her" and "worry about them." In those sentences, however, the person is the topic. A recipient plays a different role in the sentence. Ask, "Who will receive or discuss this information?" That question often reveals the right grammar. Then choose "surface to," "raise with," or "bring up with."

Practice scenarios

Practice using surface in situations like:

• catching "surface this about [person]" and correcting the recipient preposition
• writing a sentence that uses "about" correctly inside the object, plus a recipient
• choosing between "to" and "with" for a given audience

Useful practice phrases:

• "I need to surface this to my manager before Friday."
• "I need to surface a concern about the vendor contract to my manager."
• "I'd rather surface this budget concern with finance directly."

Use "about" for the topic, not the recipient. Use "surface to," "raise with," or "bring up with" as needed.