about to begin

USAGE SUMMARY

"about to begin" is an acceptable and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to express the idea of something imminent or about to happen. Example sentence: The party is about to begin, so let's get it started!.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We're about to begin.

The Guardian - Sport

Obama's about to begin.

The Guardian

All is just about to begin.

Independent

Their real test is about to begin.

The Economist

The rodeo was about to begin.

The New York Times - Travel

Is the magazine proper about to begin?

The New Yorker

The show is about to begin.

The New York Times - Sports

The ceremony was about to begin.

The New Yorker

World War II was about to begin.

The New York Times - Arts

Real hard knocks are about to begin.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"They could smell the operation was about to begin.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the context. While "about to begin" is generally acceptable, more formal situations may benefit from alternatives like "on the verge of commencing" or "set to initiate".

Common error

While grammatically correct, relying solely on "about to begin" in formal writing can make your prose sound repetitive. Vary your language by incorporating synonyms like "on the verge of" or "set to initiate" to enhance readability and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to begin" functions as a predicate adjective describing a subject's imminent state. Ludwig AI confirms that it effectively conveys the idea of something nearing its start. Examples show this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "about to begin" is a versatile phrase used to express the imminence of an event or action. It's considered grammatically correct and enjoys very common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as scientific writing. While generally neutral in tone, writers should consider more formal alternatives like "on the verge of starting" in certain settings. Ludwig AI confirms its consistent application. Remember to use this phrase to create a sense of anticipation and immediacy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of starting

Emphasizes the imminence of the beginning, similar to "about to begin".

just about to start

Adds a sense of immediacy and slight anticipation.

on the brink of commencing

A more formal way of expressing that something is about to start.

set to initiate

Highlights the planned or scheduled nature of the beginning.

ready to launch

Implies a prepared state, emphasizing readiness for the start.

on the point of departure

Metaphorically suggests the beginning as a departure point.

at the threshold of beginning

Emphasizes the transition into a new phase or activity.

due to get underway

Highlights the scheduled or anticipated nature of the start.

in the pipeline

Focuses on the preparatory stages before the beginning.

coming up shortly

Indicates that the start is imminent and will occur soon.

FAQs

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

You can use "about to begin" to indicate that something is on the verge of starting. For example, "The concert is about to begin", or "The negotiations are about to begin".

What are some alternatives to "about to begin"?

Alternatives include "on the verge of starting", "just about to start", or "set to initiate" depending on the context.

Is "about to begin" formal or informal?

"About to begin" is generally considered neutral in tone. While suitable for most contexts, more formal situations might benefit from phrases like "on the brink of commencing".

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

Both phrases indicate that something will start soon, but "about to begin" suggests a higher degree of immediacy. "Going to begin" may imply a slightly longer timeframe than "about to begin".