about to finish

USAGE SUMMARY

"about to finish" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that is nearly complete or is nearing its end. Example sentence: I am about to finish my essay.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

EU Parlament

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I am about to finish a novel, so I'm necessarily immersed in the text.

The New Yorker

I would like to make a call - I am about to finish, Madam President - for new funding and new resources.

EU Parlament

I was about to finish my second.

The New York Times - Sports

5.46pm: I'm about to finish.

The Guardian

They are just about to finish the final project.

The New York Times

I'm moving to Canada," says a young Jamaican who is about to finish his law degree.

The Economist

CBS is about to finish the season as the winner in every important ratings category.

The New York Times

7.35pm: And in golfing news, Greg Norman is about to finish his round at Royal Birkdale.

The Guardian - Sport

I'm about to finish for the day and I won't be blogging again until tomorrow night.

The Guardian

I'm about to finish, but, before I go, here's an afternoon summary.

The Guardian

I wonder if he is about to finish work or start it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "about to finish", consider the specific context. It works well in both formal and informal settings, but adjust your language accordingly for the surrounding text. For more formal situations, alternatives like "nearing completion" might be suitable.

Common error

While versatile, relying too heavily on "about to finish" can make formal writing sound repetitive. Use alternatives like "nearing completion" or "drawing to a close" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to finish" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action that is on the cusp of completion. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. The phrase provides immediacy and anticipation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "about to finish" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something is nearing completion. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase serves to communicate the imminent conclusion of an action or event. When writing, remember that while "about to finish" is appropriate in most cases, more formal options like "nearing completion" may be better suited to certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost done

A concise and common way to indicate near completion.

on the verge of completion

Emphasizes the imminent nature of completion.

nearing completion

A more gradual sense of approaching completion.

in the final stages

Focuses on the specific phase of completion.

close to being done

An informal way to express nearing completion.

drawing to a close

Suggests a more formal and deliberate ending.

coming to an end

Highlights the termination aspect.

reaching the end

Similar to coming to an end but with a sense of effort.

winding down

Suggests a gradual decrease in activity before completion.

at the tail end

Informal and emphasizes the final part of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "about to finish" to indicate that something is very close to being completed. For example, "I am "about to finish" my work", or "The movie is "about to finish"".

What are some alternatives to "about to finish"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "nearing completion", "almost done", or "on the verge of completion", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "about to finish" in formal writing?

Yes, "about to finish" is generally acceptable in both formal and informal writing, but consider the tone. In highly formal contexts, alternatives like "drawing to a close" might be more suitable.

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

"About to finish" suggests a higher degree of immediacy than "going to finish". "About to finish" implies that the completion is happening very soon, while "going to finish" indicates a future intention that may not be as immediate.