about to open

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about to open" is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used to indicate that something is going to happen very soon. Example: The doors of the store were about to open and a long line of eager customers were waiting to get in.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Across the country, more than 200 nanos are in operation or about to open.

The New York Times - Food

"Inspector Hound" is about to open at a new theatre in Beverly Hills.

The New Yorker

That play, Scrambled Eggs is about to open in New York City at the Beckett Theater.

Huffington Post

It means a door is about to open.

The New York Times

Pine Forest Camp is about to open for the summer.

The New York Times

"The floodgate is about to open," Dr. de Leon said.

The New York Times - Health

Another development about to open is 272 Water Street.

The New York Times

A demonstration kitchen is about to open in Stroud.

Independent

As I'm about to open my mouth, she shouts, "Quiet!

The New Yorker

They're about to open a salon in London.

The New Yorker

He's about to open his own yoga retreat.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about to open" when you want to express the imminence of something becoming available or accessible. For example, "The exhibit is "about to open", so arrive early to avoid the crowds."

Common error

Avoid using "about to open" to describe events that happened in the distant past. This phrase implies near-future action, so ensure your tenses align correctly. For instance, instead of saying, "The store was about to open last year," use "The store opened last year" or "The store was scheduled to open last year."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to open" functions as a verb phrase indicating an imminent action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used to describe something that will happen very soon. Examples include "The floodgate is "about to open"" and "Pine Forest Camp is "about to open" for the summer".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "about to open" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to indicate an event that will occur imminently. According to Ludwig AI, its frequent use across news, scientific, and business contexts demonstrates its versatility and wide acceptance. Key related phrases include "on the verge of opening" and "ready to launch". When using this phrase, ensure tense agreement and avoid applying it to events in the distant past. The frequency and authoritative sources, according to Ludwig, confirm its reliability in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of opening

Emphasizes being very close to the moment of opening.

on the brink of launching

Stresses the nearness of the launch, implying excitement or anticipation.

ready to launch

Suggests a formal introduction or release is imminent.

set to commence

Implies a scheduled start or beginning.

due to start

Indicates a planned beginning at a specific time.

scheduled to open

Highlights the planned and timed nature of the opening.

poised to begin

Suggests readiness and anticipation for the start.

nearing its opening

Focuses on the process of getting closer to the opening event.

approaching its debut

Highlights the first appearance or introduction of something.

on the horizon

Indicates something is upcoming but not immediate, giving a sense of anticipation.

FAQs

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

Use "about to open" to describe something that will become accessible or operational very soon. For example, "The doors are "about to open", so please form a line".

What are some alternatives to "about to open"?

You can use alternatives like "on the verge of opening", "ready to launch", or "set to commence" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "about to opened"?

No, "about to opened" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "about to open", where "open" is the base form of the verb.

What is the difference between "about to open" and "going to open"?

While both phrases indicate a future action, "about to open" suggests greater immediacy than "going to open". The former implies the action will happen almost immediately.