about ready

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about ready" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone or something is nearly prepared or close to being ready. Example: "I am about ready to leave for the party, just need to grab my coat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They're just about ready".

The New Yorker

"Four are just about ready," she says.

The New York Times

"I was about ready to dash".

The New York Times - Travel

"Now he's about ready to kill somebody".

The New York Times - Sports

We're just about ready to rumble!

The Guardian - Sport

We're just about ready to go into gadget overload.

Independent

"I'm about ready to set this car on fire".

The New Yorker

"Just about ready!" Donna calls out the kitchen window.

The New Yorker

"O.K., I think we're about ready," he said.

The New Yorker

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

The New York Times - Magazine

"Nemanja is just about ready to play now," said Moyes.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about ready" to indicate an anticipated near-future state. For instance, "The presentation is about ready, so we'll begin shortly."

Common error

Avoid using "about ready" when something is already in a finished state. It's incorrect to say "The report is about ready" when the report has already been submitted. Instead, say "The report is ready."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about ready" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of near-readiness. Ludwig examples show it's commonly used to express that something is close to being completed or someone is nearly prepared.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "about ready" is a common and grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to indicate that something or someone is nearly prepared. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's crucial to avoid using it for situations already completed. Alternatives include "almost ready" and "nearly ready", offering slight nuances in the degree of readiness. By understanding its appropriate context and potential pitfalls, writers can effectively use "about ready" to convey a sense of impending completion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost ready

Indicates a slightly closer state of readiness compared to "about ready".

nearly ready

Similar to "almost ready", emphasizing proximity to being fully prepared.

close to ready

Highlights the nearness to a state of readiness.

on the verge of being ready

Emphasizes that the state of readiness is imminent.

just about set

Specifically implies that preparations are nearly complete.

practically ready

Suggests a high degree of readiness, very close to complete.

virtually ready

Similar to "practically ready", implying near-complete preparation.

nearing completion

Focuses on the process of nearing the end of preparation.

on the point of readiness

Highlights a specific moment very close to being ready.

getting there

More informal, suggesting progress towards readiness.

FAQs

How can I use "about ready" in a sentence?

You can use "about ready" to indicate that something is close to being finished or prepared. For example, "I am about ready to leave for the party" or "The dinner is about ready; please come to the table".

What can I say instead of "about ready"?

You can use alternatives like "almost ready", "nearly ready", or "close to ready" depending on the context.

Is "about ready to" correct, or should it be "almost ready to"?

Both "about ready to" and "almost ready to" are correct and have similar meanings, although "almost ready to" might be perceived as slightly more formal. Choose the one that best fits the tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "about ready" and "getting there"?

"About ready" implies a state of near completion, while "getting there" suggests progress is being made but the end point isn't necessarily imminent. "Getting there" is generally more informal.