about to

USAGE SUMMARY

"about to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is going to happen in the near future. For example: "She was about to start singing when she tripped and fell."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was about to.

The New York Times

He's about to go".

The New Yorker

They were about to melt.

The New York Times - Tech

They were about to leave.

Independent

Kandahar wasn't about to fall.

The New York Times

"I was about to answer".

The New York Times

Because I'm about to explode".

The New Yorker

That is about to end.

The Economist

He is about to cry.

The New Yorker

Is Tripoli about to fall?

The New Yorker

That was about to change.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about to" to create a sense of anticipation or immediacy in your writing. It is effective when you want to emphasize that something is on the verge of happening.

Common error

While both phrases indicate future actions, "about to" suggests a more immediate and certain occurrence. In formal contexts, ensure that "about to" accurately reflects the intended level of immediacy, and avoid using it interchangeably with the more general "going to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to" functions as an auxiliary phrase indicating that an event or action is on the immediate horizon. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, reinforcing that it signals something is going to happen very soon.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "about to" is a versatile tool for expressing imminent actions or events. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English, highlighting its role in creating a sense of immediacy. As shown by the examples, "about to" frequently appears in news articles, indicating events that are on the verge of happening. While grammatically straightforward, understanding its subtle differences from similar phrases like "going to" can enhance the precision and impact of your writing. Be mindful of the context and desired level of formality to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just about to

Emphasizes the immediacy of the impending action.

on the brink of

Similar to "on the verge of", often used for significant or dramatic events.

on the verge of

Implies a critical point just before something happens, often with a sense of anticipation or tension.

on the point of

Similar to "on the verge of", but can also indicate a moment of decision or a specific action.

on the cusp of

Highlights a transitional moment right before a change or new phase.

going to

A more informal and general way to express future intention or prediction.

ready to

Suggests preparedness and willingness for an action, rather than just imminence.

set to

Indicates a planned or scheduled action in the near future.

due to

Implies that something is expected or scheduled to happen. it's more formal.

approaching

Describes something nearing a specific state or condition.

FAQs

How to use "about to" in a sentence?

Use "about to" followed by a verb in its base form to indicate that an action will happen very soon. For example, "The train is "about to leave"".

What can I say instead of "about to"?

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

Which is correct, "about to" or "going to"?

Both "about to" and "going to" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "About to" implies greater immediacy than "going to".

What's the difference between "about to" and "due to"?

"About to" indicates an action that will happen very soon, while "due to" indicates a cause or reason for something. They are not interchangeable.