Just about to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Just about to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that an action is close to happening, or about to occur. For example: "I was just about to leave when my phone rang."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Just about to appear on @BBCr4today.

BBC

Gleason was just about to start college.

The New Yorker

All is just about to begin.

Independent

I was just about to relate that.

Yale University

Instead, it is just about to start.

The Guardian

They're just about to crest this hill.

The Guardian - Sport

They were just about to sit down.

The New Yorker

"I'm just about to describe it".

The New Yorker

I was just about to give up.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I'm just about to go there.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

No time now to follow this up--just about to pack for France………….

Cough

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "just about to" with strong verbs to amplify the sense of impending action, such as "The bomb was just about to explode".

Common error

Avoid mixing tenses when using "just about to". Ensure the surrounding sentences are consistent in their tense to maintain clarity. For example, don't write "I was just about to leave, but now I will go later."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just about to" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the imminence of an action. It specifies the timing of an event, highlighting that it is on the verge of occurring. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just about to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that conveys the immediate future, pinpointing an event on the verge of occurrence. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and common application across diverse contexts. Predominantly featured in "News & Media" and "Academia", this versatile phrase lends a sense of anticipation to any sentence. For alternatives, consider "on the verge of" or "about to" for similar effects. To ensure clarity, watch out for tense inconsistencies. This phrase serves as a dynamic tool in written and spoken English, enriching communication with a touch of urgency and expectancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

about to

A more concise way of expressing immediate future action.

on the verge of

Indicates being very close to a specific state or action.

on the point of

Highlights the immediacy and potential for action.

on the brink of

Suggests a critical moment just before something happens.

ready to

Implies preparedness and imminence of action.

on the cusp of

Emphasizes the transition point before an event.

on the threshold of

Highlights the entry point to a new phase or event.

in the process of

Indicates ongoing steps leading to an imminent action.

on the horizon

Suggests that something is coming soon, often used for events.

in sight

Implies that something is visible and therefore near to happening.

FAQs

How can I use "just about to" in a sentence?

Use "just about to" to indicate that something is on the verge of happening. For example, "I was "about to leave" when you called" or "The show is "about to begin"".

What are some alternatives to "just about to"?

You can use alternatives like "on the verge of", "about to", or "on the point of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "just about to"?

Yes, "just about to" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English to describe an action that is going to happen very soon.

What's the difference between "just about to" and "going to"?

"Just about to" implies a more immediate action than "going to". While "going to" indicates a future intention or plan, "just about to" suggests the action will occur in the very near future.