about to run out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about to run out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is nearing its end or depletion, such as time, resources, or supplies. Example: "The battery on my phone is about to run out, so I need to charge it soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The Spaniard's luck was about to run out, though, as Okazaki had the Leicester faithful chanting of being top of the league on 27 minutes.

Independent

Realising that its royalty revenues were about to run out, Kodak has been hurriedly signing licensing deals with as many screen-makers as possible.So have others.

The Economist

And now it's about to run out, according to Sanitarium, the company that makes the stuff.

The New York Times

Others wait until the warranty is about to run out before changing the chips.

The New York Times - Travel

He reportedly called a friend shortly afterwards to say his cellphone battery was about to run out, then vanished in the center of the city.

Independent

"Looks like our luck is about to run out," said John Paulsen as he gassed up his SUV in New Jersey.

The Guardian

The forks and knives should be made of white plastic and stingily supplied, as if they are about to run out at any minute.

The New York Times

"She's counting your sick days and you're about to run out".

Forbes

People whose J-1 is about to run out also have the option of obtaining an O-1.

Science Magazine

This gives them an instant choice that takes seconds if they're about to run out of credit".

TechCrunch

Winger Arvydas Novikovas is another whose contract is about to run out without any sign of a new deal being agreed.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing concrete resources like supplies or money, use "about to run out" to convey urgency and potential scarcity. For abstract concepts such as time or patience, consider alternatives like "drawing to a close" or "wearing thin".

Common error

Avoid using "about to run out" when describing something that is simply decreasing but not nearing complete depletion. For example, instead of saying "enthusiasm is about to run out", use "enthusiasm is waning" if the enthusiasm is diminishing but not completely gone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to run out" functions as a predicate adjective phrase. It describes the state of a noun (resource, time, etc.) indicating it is in the process of being depleted and is nearing complete exhaustion. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Reference

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "about to run out" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the imminent depletion of something. Ludwig AI validates its frequent usage across diverse sources, primarily in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to use it accurately, ensuring the subject is indeed nearing complete exhaustion. When aiming for variety, consider alternatives like "nearing depletion" or "on the verge of exhaustion" to fine-tune your message. Be aware of the risk of overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearing depletion

Focuses on the gradual reduction of something.

on the verge of exhaustion

Emphasizes the imminence of being completely used up.

close to being depleted

Highlights the proximity to a state of depletion.

running low

A more informal way of saying that supply is decreasing.

dwindling rapidly

Suggests a quick reduction in quantity.

almost out

A simpler, more direct way to convey the idea of nearly running out.

approaching empty

Emphasizes the nearing state of being completely empty.

at the tail end

Indicates the final part of something, implying it's almost finished.

drawing to a close

Focuses on the ending phase of something abstract, like a contract or time period.

becoming scarce

Highlights the increasing rarity of something.

FAQs

How can I use "about to run out" in a sentence?

You can use "about to run out" to indicate that something is nearing its end or depletion. For example, "The company's funding is about to run out" or "I need to hurry; my time is about to run out".

What are some alternatives to "about to run out"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "nearing depletion", "on the verge of exhaustion", or "running low".

Is it grammatically correct to say "about to ran out"?

No, the correct phrase is "about to run out". "Run" is the base form of the verb and should be used after "to".

What's the difference between "about to run out" and "already ran out"?

"About to run out" indicates that something is nearing its end, while "already ran out" means that it has been completely depleted.