about to dispense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about to dispense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is on the verge of being given out or provided, often in a context involving information, resources, or items. Example: "The machine is about to dispense your ticket, please wait a moment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

With the French government about to dispense thirty-three million forncs for propaganda in America, it would be a shame if some one of us didn't get in for a little cut of it.

The New Yorker

We join the story as the company is about to dispense with its bitter has-been star (and wrecked gamine) Beth Macintyre: the casting of Winona Ryder is sadistically judged.

The Guardian - Film

By Robert Benchley The New Yorker, April 29 , 1933P. 18 With the French government about to dispense thirty-three million forncs for propaganda in America, it would be a shame if some one of us didn't get in for a little cut of it... View Article By Rivka Galchen By Ceridwen Dovey By Malcolm Gladwell By David Remnick.

The New Yorker

So, get out your pens and paper, HuffPo readers, because I'm about to dispense some service journalism: Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Mexico, New Zealand, Netherlands, Turkey, and Nevada.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It took Martinez about 10 minutes to dispense those thoughts in a rambling fashion.

The New York Times - Sports

The most significant turning point in Walcott's career came when he was able to embrace this fact about his style, and to dispense with the armature of subject matter almost completely.

The New Yorker

Further Questions for Discussion: -Should amateurs like Mr. Ardekani be encouraged to dispense advice about religion and morality to troubled adolescents?

The New York Times

Then, there is Ms. Basheer, to dispense advice about the red sheer baby dolls trimmed in white fluff or to encourage the sale of an elaborate lace robe and nightgown set for $4,000.

The New York Times

This year it included the mock election, as well as a mock Uncle Sam whose pin declared, "Qing wen wo" (please ask me), and who was ready to dispense lessons about American democracy.

The New York Times

Perhaps no site is more qualified to dispense information about specific resorts than myskitrip.com, which is run by AOL Time Warner's Time4 Media, the same company that publishes Freeze, Skiing and Ski magazines.

The New York Times - Travel

Clive Davis, the chief creative officer of Sony BMG Records who supervises many of the recordings of "American Idol" finalists, is the benign great uncle and senior accountant who drops by occasionally to dispense statistics about chart positions and sales figures.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about to dispense" when you want to emphasize the imminence of giving something, whether it's advice, information, or a physical item. It adds a sense of anticipation to your writing.

Common error

While "about to dispense" is grammatically correct, it can sound slightly informal in very formal or academic writing. Consider using more formal alternatives like "preparing to distribute" or "poised to release" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to dispense" functions as a verbal phrase indicating imminent action. It modifies a noun or pronoun, specifying that the subject is on the verge of distributing or providing something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "about to dispense" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression that indicates the imminence of giving something out, whether it be physical items, advice, or information. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts. While its tone is generally neutral, consider more formal alternatives in academic or scientific writing. Related phrases include "on the verge of distributing" and "ready to administer". Despite its correctness, its usage is relatively rare.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of distributing

Focuses on the immediate proximity of distributing something.

ready to administer

Emphasizes the preparedness and readiness to give something.

on the cusp of issuing

Highlights the closeness to the moment of issuing or providing.

poised to release

Indicates readiness and balance before releasing something.

set to provide

Underlines the planning and intention behind the act of providing.

just about to give out

Uses more informal language, emphasizing the immediacy of giving something.

preparing to allocate

Focuses on the preparatory steps for allocating resources.

on the point of offering

Stresses the nearly instantaneous nature of offering something.

at the brink of handing out

Emphasizes being on the edge of the action of handing something out.

going to distribute

A straightforward and direct way of expressing the imminent action of distributing.

FAQs

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

You can use "about to dispense" to indicate that something is on the verge of being given out or provided, for example: "The machine is about to dispense your ticket" or "The company is about to dispense bonuses to its employees."

What are some alternatives to "about to dispense"?

You can use alternatives like "ready to administer", "on the verge of distributing", or "poised to release", depending on the context.

Is "about to dispense" formal or informal?

"About to dispense" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in a variety of contexts, though it might sound slightly informal in highly formal writing.

What's the difference between "about to dispense" and "dispensing"?

"About to dispense" indicates an action that is about to happen, while "dispensing" describes an action that is currently happening or habitually occurs. For instance, "The pharmacist is dispensing medication" versus "The pharmacist is about to dispense the medication."