I am about

USAGE SUMMARY

The structure "I am about" is incorrect in written English.
You can use the verb "to be about" with the gerund form of a verb, e.g. "I am about to leave".

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I am about to get flustered".

The New Yorker

I am about the same.

The Guardian - Business

I am about to collapse.

The Guardian

A remarkable image that I am about to meet everywhere.

The New Yorker

"And how unrealistic I am about my expectations".

The New York Times

"I am about ready to come and separate you two.

The New York Times - Magazine

I cannot tell you how ecstatic I am about this.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I am about to leave for Scotland for a fortnight.

The Guardian

Fortunately, I am about to head east.

The New York Times

I am about to go to America.

The Guardian - Opinion

Which I am about to do.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating an action you are about to perform, always use "I am about to" followed by the base form of the verb. For example, "I am about to leave" is correct.

Common error

Avoid using "I am about" followed by a noun or adjective. This structure is grammatically incorrect. Instead, use "I am about to" with a verb or rephrase the sentence to use a different structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I am about" functions incorrectly as a standalone statement. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect, suggesting it needs completion with "to" + verb for indicating future actions (e.g., "I am about to leave"). Alternatively, it can be rephrased to express values or interests.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I am about" is typically considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. According to Ludwig AI, it's more appropriate to use "I am about to" when referring to an immediate future action. If you intend to express your values or interests, consider alternative phrases such as "This is what "I'm all about"" or expressing that you are "passionate about" something. While the phrase appears frequently across various sources, particularly in news and media, it's best to use more precise and grammatically correct alternatives to ensure clarity and professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I am about to

This is the grammatically correct form when indicating an imminent action or event.

This is what I'm all about

This alternative emphasizes the core values or principles that define someone.

I'm passionate about

This emphasizes strong enthusiasm or interest in a particular subject.

I'm concerned about

This indicates worry or unease regarding a specific issue.

I'm in the process of

This alternative indicates that a task or action is already underway.

I intend to

This focuses on a planned action or future intention.

I'm planning to

This indicates future intentions or scheduled actions.

I am enthusiastic about

This alternative phrase highlights a very positive feeling about an activity or subject

That is what defines me

The alternative shows that something in particular characterizes your own person and actions.

I am all for

The alternative phrase means that you fully support something.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use the phrase "I am about"?

The phrase "I am about" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. The correct usage for indicating an imminent action is "I am about to". Alternatively, you can use phrases like "This is what "I'm all about"" to express your values or interests.

What can I say instead of "I am about" to express what I value?

Instead of "I am about", you could say "This is what "I'm passionate about"", "This is what "I'm concerned about"", or "This is what "is important to me"" to convey your values or interests more clearly.

Is it ever correct to use "I am about"?

While generally incorrect, "I am about" can be part of a longer, correct phrase such as "I am about to leave". The isolated phrase "I am about", however, needs to be rephrased for clarity and grammatical correctness.

How can I avoid using "I am about" incorrectly?

When you intend to express an immediate future action, always use "I am about to". If you want to describe your principles or values, consider phrases like "This is what "I'm all about"" or "I am "I am all for"" followed by a specific cause or idea.