about to pull

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about to pull" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is on the verge of taking an action or making a decision. Example: "She was about to pull the trigger on the deal when she received a better offer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

We are about to pull away.

The New York Times

He's about to pull his hair out".

The New York Times

"The train's about to pull out".

The New Yorker

As I'm about to pull away, she asks the price.

The New York Times

Yet most banks are not about to pull the plug.

The Economist

They were not about to pull any punches.

The New York Times

And as he was about to pull, we FADE OUT.

The New York Times

He was about to pull me into his car.

The Guardian - Books

One in particular is about to pull into the station.

The Guardian - Opinion

A taxi was about to pull away from the curb.

The New Yorker

As the ambulance was about to pull away, a phone rang in the dead soldier's pocket.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about to pull" to create a sense of immediacy or anticipation in your writing. It effectively signals that an action is on the verge of happening.

Common error

Avoid using "about to pull" in contexts where the action has already occurred or is ongoing. Stick to situations where the action is imminent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to pull" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an imminent action. It combines the preposition "about" with the infinitive "to pull" to express that something is on the verge of happening. According to Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "about to pull" is a common and grammatically correct verbal phrase used to indicate that an action is on the verge of happening. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to create a sense of immediacy and anticipation. When writing, using alternatives like "on the verge of pulling" or "ready to pull" can add nuance, but it's important to maintain correct tense usage to avoid errors. Overall, "about to pull" is a versatile phrase that effectively signals an imminent action across diverse writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just about to pull

Adds a sense of immediacy and the very last moment before pulling.

on the verge of pulling

Emphasizes the state of being very close to performing the action of pulling.

on the point of pulling

Highlights the precise moment right before the action occurs.

on the brink of pulling

Suggests a critical or decisive moment right before pulling.

ready to pull

Indicates preparedness and willingness to perform the action of pulling.

going to pull

A more informal and direct way of expressing the intention to pull.

set to pull

Suggests a planned or arranged action of pulling.

preparing to pull

Focuses on the preparatory actions leading up to pulling.

intending to pull

Emphasizes the intention and purpose behind the action.

close to pulling

Indicates nearness to the action of pulling, without directly stating the intent.

FAQs

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

You can use "about to pull" to describe actions that are going to happen in the immediate future. For example, "The train is "about to pull out" of the station" or "She was "about to pull the trigger" when she hesitated."

What are some alternatives to "about to pull"?

Alternatives include phrases like "on the verge of pulling", "ready to pull", or "going to pull", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "about to pull" and "going to pull"?

While both express future actions, "about to pull" suggests a more immediate or imminent action than "going to pull", which can refer to a future action that is less immediate.

When is it appropriate to use "about to pull" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that an action is on the cusp of occurring, creating a sense of anticipation or urgency. This is common in both narrative and descriptive writing.