about to make

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about to make" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to express that something is going to happen soon. For example, "He was about to make a cake when the power went out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jamaica is about to make history here.

The New York Times

Companies are about to make that discovery, too.

The Economist

I'm just about to make a cup of tea.

The Guardian - Music

Are we about to make the same mistake?

The New York Times

The IAU isn't about to make a decision anytime soon.

Science Magazine

Now Apple is about to make passwords obsolete.

Forbes

Kenan Is About To Make 'SNL' History.

HuffPost

The Gay Rights Movement Is About To Make History.

HuffPost

Someone's about to make a Splash!

Independent

He is about to make it home.

The New York Times - Sports

He wasn't about to make any predictions.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about to make" to create a sense of anticipation or immediacy regarding a future event or decision. It's particularly effective when emphasizing the imminence of the action.

Common error

Avoid using "about to made". The correct form always uses the base form of the verb, so it should always be "about to make".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to make" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an action that is imminent or on the verge of occurring. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts to signal that something is just about to happen.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "about to make" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is on the verge of happening. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across various sources, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure correct tense usage (avoid "about to made") and be mindful of the level of imminence you wish to convey compared to alternatives like "going to make". Remember that "about to make" creates a sense of anticipation and immediacy, signaling an action is just about to occur.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of making

Emphasizes the proximity to the action, suggesting it's very close to happening.

on the brink of creating

Highlights the nearness to the act of creating something new.

ready to produce

Focuses on the preparedness and capability to bring something into existence.

going to generate

Indicates a future action with a focus on the generation of something.

preparing to develop

Stresses the preparatory steps being taken before a development occurs.

set to build

Highlights the arrangement and readiness for construction or building.

poised to construct

Suggests a state of balance and readiness before starting to construct.

about to establish

Focuses on the imminent establishment or founding of something.

planning to originate

Emphasizes the planning phase before the origination or beginning of something.

intending to form

Highlights the intention or purpose behind the act of forming something.

FAQs

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

The phrase "about to make" indicates that something is going to happen very soon. For example, "She is "about to make" a speech" or "They were "about to make" a decision".

What are some alternatives to "about to make"?

You can use alternatives such as "on the verge of making", "ready to produce", or "preparing to develop" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each of these alternatives ("on the verge of making", "ready to produce", and "preparing to develop") provides a slightly different emphasis.

Is it correct to say "about to made" instead of "about to make"?

No, "about to made" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is always "about to make" because "make" is the base form of the verb and should be used after "to".

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

"About to make" implies a higher degree of imminence than "going to make". "About to make" suggests that the action will happen almost immediately, while "going to make" indicates a plan or intention for the near future.