about to complete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about to complete" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is nearly finished or will be finished very soon. Example: "I am about to complete my final project for the semester."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I am about to complete my third year as a professional and feel ready to take my career to the next stage," said Van Poppel.

The Guardian - Sport

With spring break a few days away, the Sunset League baseball race is about to complete its first-round of action.

Los Angeles Times

Is he blind?" Stefano Beruschi, 24, is about to complete his menswear MA.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Just tell him he is about... he's completing... he is about to complete lap eight".

The Guardian - Sport

Both are about to complete their NVQ level 2 and wondering what happens next.

The Guardian

He is about to complete his first term in the Assembly.

The New York Times

CNN's ratings have been sliding precipitously recently, and its parent company is about to complete its merger with America Online.

The New York Times

Was Britain at last about to complete the long march to democracy that had started with the civil wars?

The Guardian - Opinion

The company announced the plan as it is about to complete a $210 billion stock repurchase program.

The New York Times

Evidently she is robust, or else she would not be about to complete a full term at the Home Office.

Independent

Kurosu, 20, of Japan, was about to complete her first Olympics in 34th place out of 36 competitors.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about to complete" when you want to emphasize that something is in its final stages and will be finished very soon. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "about to be completed" when "about to complete" is more direct and concise. Active voice often makes your writing stronger and easier to understand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to complete" functions as a verb phrase, specifically as part of a verb construction, indicating an action that is on the cusp of being finished. Ludwig shows this phrase in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

22%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "about to complete" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates something is nearing its final stage. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples from reputable sources across news, science, and academia. Its versatility makes it appropriate for various contexts, although overusing the passive voice (e.g., "about to be completed") should be avoided for clearer and more direct writing. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively communicate the imminence of completion in their work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of completing

Emphasizes being at the very edge of completion.

nearing completion

Highlights the process of getting closer to being complete.

close to finishing

Focuses on the act of finishing and being near the end.

on the point of finishing

Indicates a specific moment very close to the end.

almost done

A more informal way to express near completion.

nearing the end of

Highlights the final stages of a process or task.

in the final stages of

Focuses on being within the last part of something.

drawing to a close

A more literary way of saying something is almost complete.

reaching the culmination of

Emphasizes the high point or climax of a process.

on the home stretch

An idiomatic expression for being in the last part of a race or task.

FAQs

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

You can use "about to complete" to indicate that something is nearing its end or finalization. For example, "The project is about to complete its first phase."

What are some alternatives to "about to complete"?

You can use alternatives like "on the verge of completing", "nearing completion", or "almost done" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "about to be complete" instead of "about to complete"?

While "about to be complete" isn't incorrect, "about to complete" is generally more concise and direct. The active voice is often preferred for its clarity.

What's the difference between "about to complete" and "just finished"?

"About to complete" indicates something is in the process of finishing, whereas "just finished" implies the task has already been finalized. They describe opposite ends of the completion timeline.