about to say

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about to say" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is on the verge of expressing something or is preparing to speak. Example: "I was just about to say that we should consider a different approach to the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They do not know what I am about to say.

The Guardian

What I am about to say is likely to get me into trouble.

The New York Times

Spoiler alert: some of what I am about to say I intend ironically.

Independent

What I am about to say is purely anecdotal.

Huffington Post

Was he about to say sorry?

Independent

He appears about to say something.

The New Yorker

He isn't about to say.

The New York Times - Arts

"I was about to say Al Gore".

The New York Times

He was about to say, "Oh yes?

The Guardian - Opinion

He's not about to say that.

The New York Times - Magazine

He seems about to say no.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about to say" to create anticipation or emphasize the importance of the upcoming statement. It's particularly effective when you want to draw the listener's attention.

Common error

Avoid using "about to say" excessively in a short span, as it can become repetitive and diminish its impact. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to say" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating an imminent action. It highlights the speaker's intention or preparation to express something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "about to say" is a grammatically correct and very common verbal phrase used to signal an upcoming statement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively creates anticipation and focuses the listener's attention. While appropriate for various contexts, including news and media, it's essential to avoid overuse to maintain its impact. Consider alternatives like "on the verge of saying" or "going to mention" for variety. The analysis highlights its versatile usage and emphasizes its role in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of saying

Emphasizes the imminence of speaking, highlighting that the action is very close to happening.

on the point of saying

Similar to "on the verge of saying" but with a slightly more literary feel.

about to articulate

Focuses on the manner of speaking, suggesting a clear and distinct expression is forthcoming.

going to mention

A more casual way of expressing the intention to speak about something.

was going to say

Indicates a past intention to speak that may or may not have been realized.

intending to state

Highlights the deliberate intent behind the planned speech.

preparing to express

Focuses on the mental preparation involved before speaking.

had intended to say

Emphasizes a prior plan to speak that might have been altered or abandoned.

ready to announce

Suggests a more formal or significant declaration is coming.

about to declare

Implies a more emphatic or formal statement is forthcoming.

FAQs

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

You can use "about to say" to introduce something you are just going to express, for example: "I was "about to say" the same thing!"

What can I say instead of "about to say"?

You can use alternatives like "on the verge of saying", "going to mention", or "intending to state" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "about to said" instead of "about to say"?

No, "about to said" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""about to say"" where 'say' is the base form of the verb.

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

"About to say" indicates an intention to speak in the present moment, while "was going to say" refers to a past intention that may or may not have been fulfilled.