about to stand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about to stand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is on the verge of standing up or preparing to do so. Example: "She was about to stand when the phone rang, causing her to sit back down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

"They've got something to fight about, to stand up to," said the Rev. C.T. Vivian of Atlanta, who urged ministers to join the 1963 march.

Huffington Post

My husband was downstairs making a drink and I was about to stand up.

The New Yorker

I was about to stand up and call him a twat when Simon stopped me".

Independent

I, for one, am not about to stand by and let that happen.

The New Yorker

Crickets were chirping in the yard and I was about to stand up.

The New Yorker

He had taken the bullying long enough and was about to stand up for himself.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Gold added about 0.5% to stand at $1,091.96 an ounce.

The Guardian - Business

The President's resigned tone suggested that he was about ready to stand aside and let the Israelis level Gaza.

The New Yorker

Nucor's shares dipped slightly lower by about 0.60% to stand at $47.33 as of 12 35 p.m.

Forbes

You should almost feel like you are about to try to stand on your head.

WikiHow

But he had worried about having to stand all day.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about to stand" to clearly indicate an action that is on the immediate horizon. This phrasing adds a sense of anticipation or imminence to your writing.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "about to stand" (implying an imminent action) with "about standing" (which might refer to the topic or reason for standing). The preposition changes the meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to stand" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action that is going to happen very soon. Ludwig confirms the phrase's correctness and usability. It typically modifies a subject, describing their impending physical action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "about to stand" serves as a clear indicator that someone or something is on the brink of standing up, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its grammatical correctness and neutral tone make it suitable for various contexts, predominantly news and media. While not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys anticipation and imminence. When writing, ensure that the intended meaning is clear, and avoid confusing it with related but distinct phrases. Common alternatives include "ready to stand" and "on the verge of standing". Ludwig’s analysis emphasizes the importance of context and precision in using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of standing

Emphasizes the closeness to the act of standing.

ready to stand

Highlights preparedness and anticipation of standing.

on the point of standing

Stresses the precise moment just before standing.

preparing to stand

Focuses on the process and intention of standing.

going to stand

Indicates a planned or decided action of standing.

just about to rise

Highlights the act of rising from a seated or lying position.

nearing the act of standing

More descriptive, emphasizing the approach to standing.

almost standing

Focuses on how close someone is to already being in a standing position.

in the process of standing

Highlights the continuous action from seated to standing.

about to get up

Focuses more on the action of getting up from a lower position.

FAQs

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

You can use "about to stand" to describe someone who is on the verge of standing up. For example, "She was "about to stand" when the phone rang".

What are some alternatives to "about to stand"?

Alternatives include "ready to stand", "on the verge of standing", or "preparing to stand".

Is it correct to say "about to standing" instead of "about to stand"?

No, "about to standing" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""about to stand"", using the base form of the verb.

What's the difference between "about to stand" and "about standing"?

"About to stand" means on the verge of performing the action of standing while "about standing" is likely referring to the topic or reason for the act of standing.