about to commit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about to commit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is on the verge of taking an action, often with a sense of urgency or immediacy. Example: "He was about to commit to the project when he received a better offer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I am about to commit a new millennium offense for which there is no punishment.

The New York Times

He even stopped himself short at one point in the interview as he was about to "commit news," as he put it.

The New York Times

One man's journal refers to "a sin as grave as the one I am about to commit," which sounds juicy, but the revelation is disappointingly unoriginal.

The New York Times

I am about to commit an act of meta-journalism.

TechCrunch

And neither is about to commit suicide.

The Economist

The Doctor is about to commit genocide.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She kept imagining strange men about to commit crimes.

The New York Times - Arts

Traders were not about to commit much more money to stocks.

The New York Times

Was she about to commit herself to a lifetime of unhappiness with a broken man?

Independent

During the investigation we found this group was about to commit terrorist attacks in Belgium".

Independent

Republicans may be stupid but the GOP isn't about to commit suicide.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about to commit" to convey a sense of immediacy and anticipation, particularly when the action is significant or potentially controversial.

Common error

While versatile, "about to commit" can sound informal in highly formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "is preparing to undertake" or "is on the verge of initiating" for a more elevated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to commit" functions as a verbal phrase indicating imminent action. It describes a state of readiness or close proximity to performing a deed, as supported by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "about to commit" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that an action is on the verge of happening. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted. Its frequent appearance in news media and academic sources suggests a neutral to slightly formal register, though alternatives may be preferred in highly formal writing. The phrase effectively conveys a sense of immediacy and anticipation, making it suitable for a variety of contexts where emphasizing the timing of an event is crucial. Consider alternatives like "on the verge of" or "preparing to" based on the desired level of formality and nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

On the verge of committing

Emphasizes being at a critical point before taking action.

On the brink of committing

Similar to 'on the verge,' but suggests a more precarious situation.

About to undertake

More formal and often used for serious or planned actions.

Preparing to commit

Highlights the preparatory stage before an action.

On the point of committing

Indicates immediacy, similar to 'on the verge' but slightly less common.

Intending to commit

Focuses on the intention rather than the immediacy of the action.

Planning to commit

Emphasizes a deliberate and structured approach to the action.

Going to commit

A more informal and conversational equivalent.

Fixing to commit

Regional variation with similar meaning and informal tone.

Ready to commit

Highlights the state of preparedness before the action.

FAQs

How to use "about to commit" in a sentence?

Use "about to commit" to describe an action that is imminent or on the verge of happening. For example, "The company was about to commit to a new marketing strategy."

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

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

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

Both "about to commit" and "going to commit" are grammatically correct, but "about to commit" suggests greater immediacy. "Going to commit" is a more general statement of future intent.

Is "about to commit" formal or informal?

The phrase "about to commit" is generally considered neutral in tone. However, in highly formal or academic writing, you might prefer more elevated alternatives.