about to start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'about to start' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when describing an event or action that is about to begin, for example: "The concert is about to start - get ready for an amazing show!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The protection is about to start.

The New York Times - Sports

The party is about to start.

The Guardian - Music

Life was about to start.

Vice

The race is about to start.

Los Angeles Times

Our movie is about to start.

Huffington Post

And I'm not about to start now.

Huffington Post

Was he about to start proselytizing?

Vice

The feature's about to start.

Huffington Post

PMQs is about to start.

The Guardian

Quick, the horseracing is about to start.

The Economist

Gleason was just about to start college.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "about to start", ensure the context clearly indicates what is beginning. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the event or activity that is commencing.

Common error

Avoid using "about to started". The correct form is "about to start" because "to" is followed by the base form of the verb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to start" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the imminence of an action or event. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to signal that something is on the verge of beginning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "about to start" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something is beginning very soon. Ludwig confirms its wide usage across various sources, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, make sure the context clearly identifies the event or activity that's commencing. Alternatives such as "on the verge of starting" or "set to commence" can be used in similar contexts, though "about to start" maintains a neutral tone suitable for most situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of starting

Emphasizes the nearness of the beginning, suggesting that the start is imminent and almost certain.

on the brink of beginning

Highlights the closeness to the commencement, portraying the beginning as just moments away.

set to commence

Indicates a scheduled or planned start, implying readiness and anticipation.

ready to begin

Conveys a state of preparedness and eagerness for the commencement of an activity.

going to begin

A more direct and straightforward way to express the future start of something.

due to start

Implies that the beginning is scheduled and expected at a specific time.

slated to begin

Similar to 'due to start', but suggests a formal or official plan for the commencement.

on the point of starting

Highlights that the start is happening in the moment.

just beginning

Indicates that something is initiating right now, with a focus on the very start.

approaching the start

Emphasizes the movement closer to the initial point of an event or activity.

FAQs

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

Use "about to start" to indicate that something will begin very soon. For example, "The movie is about to start, so please take your seats".

What's a formal alternative to "about to start"?

In more formal contexts, you could use alternatives such as "set to commence" or "due to start".

What are some common synonyms for "about to start"?

Other options include "on the verge of starting", "ready to begin", or "going to begin".

Is it correct to say "about to starting" instead of "about to start"?

No, "about to start" is the correct form. The word "to" requires the base form of the verb, so it should always be "start".