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CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
about to retire
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "about to retire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is on the verge of retiring soon. Example: "After decades of dedicated service, she is about to retire and start a new chapter in her life."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Alternative expressions(20)
on the verge of retirement
nearing retirement
preparing for retirement
approaching retirement
set to retire
close to retirement
soon to be retired
about to terminate
about to leave
about to cease
about to discontinue
about to quit
about to leaving
about to prepare
about to argue
about to throw
about to purchase
on the cusp of retirement
on the brink of retirement
on the verge of disappearing
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
58 human-written examples
Chambliss is 69 and about to retire.
News & Media
But what if I am about to retire?
News & Media
Is she about to retire, everyone asks, to permit President Obama to name her replacement?
News & Media
Now I am about to retire and must clean out my classroom.
News & Media
I'm about to retire.
News & Media
Sheehan, too, is about to retire.
News & Media
He doesn't seem about to retire.
News & Media
That's why I'm telling you first: I'm about to retire.
News & Media
The baby boom generation is about to retire.
News & Media
Hamilton wasn't about to retire the heavy artillery, either.
News & Media
But, Mr. Gerstner, now 59, was not about to retire.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "about to retire" to clearly indicate that someone is in the immediate process of ending their career or role. It's best used when the retirement is expected to happen very soon.
Common error
Avoid using "about to retire" when referring to long-term retirement plans. Use phrases like "planning for retirement" instead if the retirement is not imminent.
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "about to retire" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate an imminent state of retirement. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.
Frequent in
News & Media
85%
Formal & Business
10%
Science
5%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "about to retire" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that someone is nearing the end of their career. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. While versatile, it is essential to use it when the retirement is imminent, differentiating it from long-term retirement planning phrases. Alternatives like "nearing retirement" or "preparing for retirement" offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas, depending on the specific context and timeline. This phrase sees frequent use in news, media and business contexts.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
nearing retirement
Focuses on the process of approaching retirement rather than the immediate future.
on the verge of retirement
Emphasizes the imminence of the retirement event.
preparing to retire
Highlights the actions taken in anticipation of retirement.
set to retire
Indicates a planned or scheduled retirement.
close to retirement
Suggests proximity to the retirement date.
soon to be retired
Highlights the future state of being retired.
on the point of retiring
Similar to 'on the verge', emphasizing the closeness to retirement.
planning retirement
Focuses on planning aspect of retirement.
retiring imminently
Stresses that the retirement is happening very soon.
reaching retirement age
Highlights the age-related aspect of becoming ready to retire.
FAQs
What's the difference between "about to retire" and "nearing retirement"?
"About to retire" indicates that someone is on the immediate verge of retirement. "Nearing retirement" suggests that someone is approaching retirement but not necessarily in the very near future.
Can "about to retire" be used in formal writing?
Yes, "about to retire" is suitable for formal writing, especially in news reports or professional announcements. However, consider using "preparing for retirement" or "approaching retirement" for more emphasis on the planning phase.
What are some alternatives to "about to retire" that don't use the word 'retire'?
Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "ending their tenure", "leaving their position", or "transitioning out of their role" as alternatives to "about to retire".
Is it correct to say "about to be retired"?
While grammatically understandable, "about to be retired" is less common and can sound passive. "About to retire" is generally the preferred and more direct phrasing.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested