Environ, vers and aux alentours de......

Question

Could someone explain the subtleties of these three?

I used 'environ' which was marked incorrect.

Each example of aux alentours de was paired with a 24-hour clock and vers with the 12-hour clock. Are they interchangeable?

Accepted Answer

Bonjour G,
"Vers" and "aux alentours de" -> time (approximation)

Il se lève vers 10 heures du matin = he gets up around 10 A.M
Elles sont parties aux alentours de minuit = they left around midnight

"Environ" -> quantity (approximation)

Il y a environ trois cents refugiés dans ce camp = there are about 300 refugees in this camp
J'ai environ 2000 euros dans mon compte bancaire = I have about 2000 euros in my bank account

Attention: with the verb "être", "environ" can also be used for time approximation
Il est environ seize heures = it is about 4 P.M
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !