about to deliver

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about to deliver" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means that something is about to happen soon or very soon. Example: The postman is about to deliver our package.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"That's what we want to be about: to deliver the lifesaving services that the Red Cross provides," she said.

The New York Times

The man o' war is about to deliver a painful sting to humans, but the Valella valella is not known for causing a sting.

Independent

And you are about to deliver it.

The Guardian

Ms. Vartsaba was about to deliver their second child.

The New York Times

Prime Minister Ghannouchi, rumor had it, was about to deliver a nationally televised speech.

The New Yorker

Just as Ms. Broome was about to deliver, she learned that a jet was missing.

The New York Times

Unfortunately the birds began waking up just as she was about to deliver them.

The New Yorker

A mother who had lost three babies was about to deliver her fourth.

The New York Times - Health

It's scary to see those things when I'm about to deliver.

The New York Times

(Was she about to deliver some startling revelation about Orson Welles's sexuality? The answer was yes).

The New York Times

That was the tip-off for the sort of address that Trump was about to deliver.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about to deliver" to create a sense of anticipation or immediacy in your writing. It works well when you want to emphasize that something is on the cusp of happening.

Common error

While "about to deliver" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Consider more precise or sophisticated alternatives like "poised to present" or "on the verge of completion" for enhanced clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to deliver" functions as a verbal phrase, specifically as an infinitive phrase acting as an adjective. It modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject is in the process of preparing for or on the verge of performing the action of delivering something, whether it's a physical object, a speech, or a baby, according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "about to deliver" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is on the verge of happening. According to Ludwig, this phrase functions as a verbal phrase indicating imminence and anticipation, suitable for various contexts, from news reports to personal narratives. While its register is generally neutral, overuse should be avoided in highly formal settings. Several alternative phrases, such as "on the verge of delivering" and "ready to deliver", can be used depending on the desired nuance. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively convey the proximity of an event and engage their audience more effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of delivering

Emphasizes being at the very edge of the action of delivering something.

on the brink of delivering

Highlights that the delivery is imminent and could happen at any moment.

on the point of delivering

Focuses on the exact moment right before the delivery occurs.

ready to deliver

Indicates a state of preparedness and expectation for an upcoming delivery.

set to deliver

Suggests a planned or scheduled delivery that is about to take place.

going to deliver

A more informal way of saying something will be delivered soon.

preparing to deliver

Focuses on the actions being taken to get ready for an upcoming delivery.

in the process of delivering

Highlights that the action of delivering has already started but is not yet complete.

scheduled for delivery

Emphasizes that delivery is planned and confirmed for the near future.

due to deliver

Implies that delivery is expected or required by a certain time.

FAQs

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

You can use "about to deliver" to describe something that is on the verge of happening. For example, "The company is "about to deliver" its quarterly report" or "The storm is "about to deliver" heavy rainfall".

What are some alternatives to "about to deliver"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "on the verge of", "ready to", "set to", or "on the brink of".

Is it correct to say "about to be delivered" instead of "about to deliver"?

Yes, "about to be delivered" is grammatically correct, but it implies a passive construction where something is being acted upon. "About to deliver" is active, indicating someone or something is performing the action. The best choice depends on the sentence's intended meaning.

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

"About to deliver" suggests immediate action, happening very soon. "Going to deliver" ("going to") implies a future intention or plan, without necessarily indicating the action is imminent. The degree of immediacy is the primary difference.