about to come

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about to come" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used when something is about to happen or is about to be seen in the near future. For example: "The summer vacation is about to come and I can't wait."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The tide's about to come in.

The Guardian - Travel

That sequel, "The Death Instinct," is about to come out.

The New York Times - Books

Is he about to come out as gay?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Good is about to come.

HuffPost

"Brighter days are always about to come.

Huffington Post

Your moment is about to come.

The New Yorker

His nightmare is about to come true.

The Guardian - Music

The players are about to come out.

The Guardian - Sport

"The sun is about to come up.

The Guardian

His dream is about to come true.

The New York Times - Sports

Teams are about to come out now.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about to come" to create a sense of anticipation or immediacy in your writing. For example, "The climax of the story is about to come, so pay close attention."

Common error

While "about to come" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overusing it in close proximity within your writing. Vary your sentence structure and word choice to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to come" functions as an infinitive phrase indicating an event or action that is on the cusp of happening. Ludwig examples show it describing tides, dreams, and even unpleasant events that are nearly upon us.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Books

7%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "about to come" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is going to happen very soon. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly acceptable in written English. With high frequency across various contexts like News & Media and Sport, its neutral register makes it versatile for different writing styles. While some alternatives, like "on the verge of" or "imminent", may be more appropriate for formal writing, "about to come" effectively creates a sense of anticipation and immediacy. Remember to use it judiciously to avoid repetition and maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of happening

Focuses on the edge or brink of an event, emphasizing the precariousness or anticipation.

on the brink of occurring

Similar to 'on the verge', but with a stronger sense of something significant or potentially dangerous about to unfold.

imminent

A more formal term indicating that something is just about to happen without delay.

on the horizon

Implies something is appearing or becoming noticeable, suggesting a future event that is nearing.

in the pipeline

Suggests a process is underway and nearing completion, indicating something is about to be released or made available.

drawing near

Emphasizes the gradual approach of an event, indicating it is getting closer with time.

in the offing

A nautical term meaning 'visible at sea', implying something is likely to happen or appear soon.

upcoming

A general term for something that is scheduled or expected to happen soon.

forthcoming

Suggests that something will appear or be produced soon, often used in a more formal context.

close at hand

Indicates that something is near in time or space, implying it is readily available or likely to happen.

FAQs

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

You can use "about to come" to indicate that something is going to happen very soon. For instance, "The tide is "about to come in"" or "His dream is "about to come true"".

What are some alternatives to "about to come"?

Alternatives include "on the verge of", "imminent", or "drawing near". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "about to come"?

While grammatically sound, overuse or placement in overly formal contexts might sound awkward. Consider the tone and audience to ensure it fits.

Can "about to come" be used in formal writing?

While acceptable, it's generally better suited for neutral or informal contexts. In formal writing, consider more sophisticated alternatives like "forthcoming" or "impending".