about to happen

USAGE SUMMARY

"about to happen" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express something that is about to occur in the near future. For example, "I can feel the rain about to happen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This was about to happen.

The New York Times

it's all about to happen.

The New Yorker

Something was about to happen.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Super Bowl is about to happen.

Independent

WELL, it is about to happen.

The Economist

"Something frightening is about to happen".

The New Yorker

Something bad is about to happen.

Independent

Everyone knew what was about to happen.

The New York Times - Sports

That was about to happen.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Something bad was about to happen..

Los Angeles Times

Perhaps something similar is about to happen.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a series of events, use "about to happen" to signal the next event in the sequence, creating a smooth transition for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "about to happen" excessively in contexts that are already inherently dramatic. Overusing it can diminish the impact and make your writing sound cliché. Instead, vary your language to maintain a sense of genuine tension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to happen" functions as a predictive expression, indicating that an event or situation is on the verge of occurring. It's used to create anticipation or a sense of imminence. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and accepted phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "about to happen" is a common and correct way to express that something is imminent. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It functions primarily to signal anticipation of a near-future event. Predominantly found in News & Media, this phrase is versatile enough for both formal and informal contexts. When writing, use it to create a sense of immediacy, but avoid overuse in overly dramatic scenes. Alternatives like "on the verge of occurring" or "imminent" can add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of occurring

Emphasizes the proximity to the event, focusing on the edge of happening.

on the brink of happening

Suggests a critical point just before the event unfolds, often implying a significant or decisive moment.

just about to occur

Uses "occur" instead of "happen", providing a more formal tone while retaining the sense of immediacy.

imminent

A single-word adjective denoting that something is about to occur very soon.

oncoming

Implies that something is approaching and will happen soon, focusing on its approach.

in the offing

Suggests that something is likely to happen or appear soon.

coming up

Indicates an event that is planned or scheduled for the near future.

in the cards

Expresses that something is very likely to happen or is destined.

looming

Implies that something, often negative, is threateningly close and likely to happen.

down the pike

Suggests that something will happen or become available in the future.

FAQs

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

You can use "about to happen" to describe an event that is on the verge of occurring, like "The storm was "about to happen", and everyone rushed inside".

What are some alternatives to "about to happen"?

Alternatives include "on the verge of occurring", "imminent", or "on the brink of happening", each conveying a similar sense of immediacy.

Is "about to happen" formal or informal?

"About to happen" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal options like "just about to occur" might be preferred in highly formal settings.

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

"About to happen" implies greater immediacy than "going to happen". While both indicate a future event, "about to happen" suggests that the event will occur very soon, almost immediately.