about to gain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about to gain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is on the verge of acquiring something or achieving a goal. Example: "She is about to gain the recognition she deserves for her hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

The father is about to gain even greater visibility.

The New York Times

The law was overturned only in 1946, as India was about to gain its independence from Britain.

The New York Times

But unlike western journalists, the impecunious Kapuscinski travelled and lived like the people he was writing about to gain real understanding, so he accepted deprivations such as maggots nesting under his skin and poor food.

The Guardian - Books

OK, so they're not about to gain sentience and enslave us, Skynet-style, quite yet – but let's just say some of today's more perfunctory pop stars ought to be looking over their shoulders.

The Guardian - Music

Now that the Democrats are about to gain control of the presidency and Congress, John R. Bolton and John Yoo claim that only the Senate can approve a broad range of international agreements.

The New York Times

Van Gaal breaks football down into four phases, from non-possession, to about to gain possession, to actual possession and all the way back to playing without possession again.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Finally, we will examine individuals' specific hopes and concerns about EHRs to gain a deeper understanding of patient and public views about EHRs.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Brookfield plans to invest about $2.5 billion to gain a 30 percent stake in General Growth Properties.

The New York Times

When you regain consciousness, the puzzle is about how to gain the trust of your companion.

The Guardian - Tech

Lizza notes that there may still be room for one of the other, less talked about candidates to gain traction.

The New Yorker

“Thank you,” she repeats as ideas fly about ways to gain her company a bigger presence on Twitter and Facebook.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about to gain" when you want to emphasize the immediacy and likelihood of acquiring something, whether it's a tangible object, an advantage, or an abstract concept like understanding.

Common error

While "about to gain" is versatile, it can sound less formal than alternatives like "on the verge of acquiring" or "poised to achieve." Choose the phrasing that best suits the tone and audience of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to gain" functions as a verb phrase indicating an imminent or very likely future event. It modifies a noun or pronoun, specifying that the subject is on the verge of acquiring something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is considered correct and standard English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "about to gain" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to indicate that someone or something is on the verge of acquiring something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is widely used and accepted. While versatile, its formality is neutral, so consider more sophisticated alternatives in formal contexts. Usage is particularly frequent in "News & Media" and "Science", but it's less common in academic settings. By understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts, you can effectively use "about to gain" to enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of acquiring

Emphasizes the imminence of the acquisition.

on the cusp of achieving

Highlights the achievement aspect and being at a crucial turning point.

nearing the acquisition of

Focuses on the process of acquiring something.

close to obtaining

Indicates proximity to obtaining something.

on the brink of securing

Emphasizes the securing or finalizing aspect.

in the process of attaining

Highlights the ongoing effort to attain something.

approaching the point of receiving

Focuses on receiving something after a period of time.

set to acquire

Implies a planned or scheduled acquisition.

going to obtain

A more informal way of expressing future acquisition.

in line to secure

Suggests being next in sequence to secure.

FAQs

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

You can use "about to gain" to indicate an imminent acquisition or achievement, as in, "The company is "about to gain" a significant market share."

What are some alternatives to "about to gain"?

Some alternatives include "on the verge of acquiring", "on the cusp of achieving", or "set to acquire", each with slightly different nuances.

Is "about to gain" formal or informal?

"About to gain" is generally considered neutral in formality. While widely acceptable, consider alternatives like "poised to achieve" for more formal contexts.

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

"About to gain" suggests greater immediacy than "going to gain". "About to gain" implies something will happen very soon, while "going to gain" is a more general statement of future intent.