about to get married

USAGE SUMMARY

"about to get married" is a grammatically correct phrase that is used in both spoken and written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a person who is in the process of planning or preparing for a wedding. For example: "My sister is about to get married, and she is very excited for the big day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In 1972, Boniface was 17 and about to get married.

The Guardian

Just as his son is about to get married to the stepdaughter of a fundamentalist cleric, he discovers that he was adopted as a baby, and that his biological parents were Jewish.

Independent

For all the temptation that flings itself across his examination tables, Sully is devoted to his wife, Kate Farrah Fawcettt), and his two daughters, one of whom is about to get married.

The New York Times

I myself am about to get married in October, so I'm using it as a model.

Huffington Post

I'm also about to get married to the love of my life.

Huffington Post

And yet a few years later, Schaefer didn't pause when Tim was about to get married and asked his father to preside.

Los Angeles Times

Dude is about to get married".

The New Yorker

I was about to get married.

The New Yorker

Piece begins when Bonnie is about to get married.

The New Yorker

He had just ended a long tour, and he and Maandig were about to get married.

The New Yorker

Cynthia was about to get married for the 3rd time to Charlie Pinehurst.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about to get married" when you want to emphasize the imminence of the marriage. It's suitable for describing situations where preparations are underway and the wedding is very close.

Common error

Avoid using past tense verbs with "about to get married". For example, instead of saying "They were about to get married", which implies the wedding may not have happened, use "They are about to get married" to indicate it's a near future event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to get married" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun (usually a person or couple) to indicate their impending marital status. Ludwig AI validates this through numerous examples showing its descriptive use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "about to get married" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone whose wedding is imminent. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, showing its widespread use across various contexts, especially in news and media. While maintaining a neutral register, it effectively informs audiences about impending nuptials. Alternatives like "on the verge of marriage" provide more formal options, while understanding the correct tense usage is crucial to avoid misinterpretations. With a high source quality score and expert rating, this phrase is a reliable choice for clear and concise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of marriage

Focuses on the closeness to the event, emphasizing its imminent nature.

on the cusp of their wedding

Highlights the transition point right before the wedding.

set to marry

Emphasizes the scheduling and arrangement aspect of the marriage.

planning to wed

Highlights the planning stages leading up to the marriage.

soon to be wedded

Emphasizes the near future and the state of being married.

preparing for their wedding

Highlights the act of making arrangements and getting ready for the wedding.

on the brink of matrimony

Uses more formal language to convey the imminence of marriage.

tying the knot

An idiomatic expression for getting married. Differs in tone, being more informal.

walking down the aisle

Describes a specific moment during a wedding ceremony. Highlights one part of the wedding experience and is less general.

ready to say 'I do'

Focuses on the act of exchanging vows. More specific to ceremony itself.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "about to get married" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "on the verge of marriage" or "on the cusp of their wedding". These alternatives /s/on+the+verge+of+marriage, target="_blank" rel="nofollow">on the verge of marriage, /s/on+the+cusp+of+their+wedding" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">on the cusp of their wedding emphasize the impending nature of the marriage in a dignified manner.

Is it correct to say "about to be married" instead of "about to get married"?

Yes, "about to be married" is also grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning. The choice between "get" and "be" often depends on personal preference or the specific context, with "about to be married" sounding slightly more formal in some instances.

What's the difference between "engaged" and "about to get married"?

"Engaged" indicates a formal agreement to marry, which can last for a significant period. "About to get married" implies that the wedding is very soon, preparations are complete, and the event is imminent. It suggests a shorter timeframe than simply being engaged.

How to use "about to get married" in a sentence?

You can use "about to get married" to describe someone who is in the final stages of planning their wedding. For instance, "She is about to get married next month, so she's been very busy with wedding preparations".