about to join

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about to join" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is on the verge of becoming a member of a group or organization. Example: "I am about to join the new fitness class starting next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"You're about to join history".

The New York Times - Sports

I'm about to join them.

The New York Times

Psychopathy may be about to join it.

The Economist

Greece may be about to join them.

Independent

Now a third is about to join that list: age.

The New York Times

Miranda was about to join Summer as an unwed teenage mother.

The New York Times - Sports

"We did it!" he wrote, posting a photo of the celebration he was about to join.

The New York Times - Sports

The life-long republican is about to join the Privy Council.

Independent

RTVE is about to join other state businesses under the wing of SEPI.

The Economist

They look out onto the adult world they are about to join, and are disgusted.

The New Yorker

I, too, am about to join the mob and buy my first iPad.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about to join" to convey immediacy and anticipation of becoming part of something, whether it's a group, organization, or activity. It works well in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "about to joined" as it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "about to join", where "join" is the base form of the verb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to join" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action that is imminent or on the verge of happening. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and suitable for English writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "about to join" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that someone is on the cusp of becoming a member or participant. Ludwig confirms its correctness and versatility. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a broad range of contexts, with frequent usage in news and media. Remember to use the base form of the verb "join" and avoid incorrect forms like "about to joined". Consider alternatives such as "on the verge of joining" or "poised to join" depending on the nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of joining

Emphasizes the imminence of the action, similar to "about to join" but slightly more formal.

on the brink of joining

Suggests a critical point just before joining, implying a significant change.

poised to join

Implies readiness and preparation for joining, often used in a more formal or strategic context.

set to join

Indicates a planned or scheduled joining, highlighting the intention and arrangement.

ready to enlist in

Specifically suggests joining a group or cause, often with connotations of commitment and purpose.

preparing to integrate into

Focuses on the process of becoming part of something, emphasizing assimilation and adaptation.

going to become a member of

A more explicit and less idiomatic way of expressing the same idea, suitable for clarity.

in the process of entering

Highlights the ongoing action of joining, emphasizing the steps involved.

scheduled to be admitted into

Formal and indicates a planned admission, often used for official or organizational contexts.

due to affiliate with

Suggests a formal association or connection that is expected to happen, often in business or organizational contexts.

FAQs

What does "about to join" mean?

The phrase "about to join" means that someone is on the verge of becoming a member of a group, organization, or participating in an activity. It indicates an imminent action.

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

You can use "about to join" to describe someone's impending involvement. For example: "She is about to join the soccer team", or "The company is about to join the trade association".

What are some alternatives to "about to join"?

Alternatives include "on the verge of joining", "poised to join", or "set to join". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "about to joined"?

No, "about to joined" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "about to join", using the base form of the verb.