about to break

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about to break" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is on the verge of breaking or failing, often used in both literal and figurative contexts. Example: "The tension in the room was palpable, and I felt like I was about to break under the pressure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

As it is, wars are about to break out between countries squabbling over dams and rivers.

The Economist

Jack Ewing (@JackEwingNYT) Abe says at #WEF2014 that Japan is about to break free from deflation.

The Guardian - Business

Looks like Intel is about to break into the mobile phone arena in a big way.

TechCrunch

Bland: You about to break my wrist.

Huffington Post

"You're about to break my wrist!

Independent

Bob was about to break through".

The New Yorker

Dawn was about to break.

The Guardian

The world's about to break.

The Guardian

"I wasn't about to break it".

The New York Times

It's no surprise they're about to break the record".

The New York Times - Sports

At times the close-ups seem about to break up.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about to break" to create suspense or signal a critical moment in a narrative. It effectively conveys imminence and can heighten the reader's anticipation.

Common error

Avoid using "about to break" excessively, as it can become predictable and diminish its impact. Vary your language by using alternatives like "on the verge of" or "at the breaking point" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to break" functions as a descriptive phrase indicating that something is on the precipice of breaking or failing. It's commonly used to create a sense of immediacy or anticipation. Ludwig showcases numerous examples of this phrase in various contexts, affirming its practical use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "about to break" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey the imminence of something breaking, failing, or changing drastically. Ludwig's AI confirms this, backed by numerous examples. The phrase appears predominantly in News & Media, fitting a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. When using this phrase, remember to maintain variety by employing alternatives such as "on the verge of" or "at the breaking point" to avoid overuse and enhance the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the breaking point

Indicates a limit has been reached, and further stress will cause failure.

on the verge of collapse

Emphasizes the potential for a sudden and complete failure or breakdown.

almost shattering

Emphasizes the fragility and impending destruction of something.

on the brink of disaster

Highlights the proximity to a catastrophic event or outcome.

on the point of erupting

Suggests an imminent and forceful release of pent-up emotions or events.

ready to snap

Suggests a state of extreme tension or pressure that is about to be released.

on the verge of disintegration

Focuses on the impending state of something falling apart or losing its integrity.

nearing its end

Focuses on the approaching conclusion or termination of something.

approaching a climax

Implies that events are building towards a critical and decisive moment.

close to disintegration

Highlights the nearness of something falling apart or losing its cohesion.

FAQs

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

You can use "about to break" to describe something that is on the verge of failing, being destroyed, or changing significantly. For example, "The dam was "about to break" under the pressure of the floodwaters."

What can I say instead of "about to break"?

You can use alternatives like "on the verge of", "at the breaking point", or "close to collapse" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "about to be breaking"?

While grammatically understandable, "about to be breaking" is less common and more awkward than ""about to break"". The latter is more concise and widely accepted.

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

"About to break" implies a higher degree of imminence than "going to break". "About to break" suggests the event will happen very soon, whereas "going to break" indicates a future intention or possibility.