about to argue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about to argue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is on the verge of starting a debate or discussion about a particular topic. Example: "She seemed frustrated and was about to argue her point when the meeting was interrupted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Agassi was not about to argue.

The New York Times - Sports

When we're about to argue, we let it go.

The New York Times

Charles Blaichman is not about to argue with that assessment.

The New York Times

Rusch (7-9) was not about to argue.

The New York Times - Sports

Schoeneweis called Thursday's play a "big lift," and Chávez was not about to argue.

The New York Times - Sports

Lopez, the team's center, was not about to argue with that assessment.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

The burden is on the anti-realists about morality to argue that that this involves a mistake of some sort.

SEP

Be clear on this and you can start to think about how to argue your case.

The Guardian - Opinion

But don't even think about trying to argue with them.

Huffington Post

Who cares about the beauty of our surroundings, the quality of our culture when there are several billion "tough choices" about debt and cuts to argue about?

The Guardian

Start talking about a topic that people tend to argue about.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about to argue" to clearly indicate that a disagreement or debate is imminent. This phrase is useful when setting the scene or describing a tense situation.

Common error

Avoid using "about to argue" when you mean "arguing about". "About to argue" refers to a future action, while "arguing about" describes a current or ongoing disagreement. For example, "They were about to argue" means they hadn't started yet, while "They were arguing about politics" means they were in the middle of a debate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to argue" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an impending action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It suggests that someone is on the precipice of engaging in a debate or dispute.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "about to argue" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the imminence of a disagreement or debate. Ludwig AI confirms it. It's versatile, appearing frequently in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, remember that it indicates a future action, distinct from "arguing about", which describes an ongoing dispute. Pay attention on the usage with other alternatives such as "on the verge of arguing" or "poised to clash", and ensure it aligns with the intended context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of arguing

Emphasizes the imminence of the argument, suggesting it's about to start very soon.

about to disagree

A more general way of saying that a disagreement is coming.

on the brink of a dispute

Highlights the potential for conflict and disagreement.

close to quarreling

Implies a personal or emotional component to the impending argument.

ready to debate

Focuses on the willingness and preparation to engage in a structured argument.

poised to clash

Suggests a confrontational situation is developing.

gearing up for a row

Suggests preparation and anticipation of a noisy or public argument.

on the point of contention

Highlights that a certain topic or matter is causing a dispute.

at loggerheads

Indicates a state of strong disagreement.

in disagreement's shadow

More figurative, suggesting an argument is looming or casting influence.

FAQs

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

You can use "about to argue" to describe a situation where a disagreement or debate is on the verge of starting. For example: "The two politicians were "about to argue" over the new economic policy."

What are some alternatives to "about to argue"?

Some alternatives to "about to argue" include "on the verge of arguing", "ready to debate", or "poised to clash", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "about to arguing"?

No, the correct form is "about to argue". The phrase "about to" is followed by the base form of the verb. "Arguing" is a gerund or present participle and is not appropriate in this context.

What's the difference between "about to argue" and "arguing with"?

"About to argue" indicates that a discussion or disagreement is imminent but has not yet begun. "Arguing with" suggests that a disagreement is already in progress. For example, "They were about to argue" means they were on the verge of a fight, while "They were arguing with each other" means they were already engaged in a dispute.