about to steer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about to steer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is on the verge of taking control or directing a situation, often in a literal or metaphorical sense. Example: "As the captain of the ship, I am about to steer us towards the safe harbor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Even the veteran French coach Guy Novès looked slightly disconcerted by the sheer number of microphones and notebooks but for Eddie Jones, about to steer England into the championship whirlpool, it was a prime opportunity to make a point or three.

The Guardian - Sport

IT HAS long been the stuff of science fiction, but autonomous driving is about to steer a lot closer to reality when Google begins testing a fleet of self-driving cars later this year.

The Economist

He was about to steer onto pit road for a green-flag pit stop, but he turned too late, then swerved back onto the track, losing the lead before he pitted a lap later.

The New York Times - Sports

I was about to steer him around a little boy in his path, when the kid's face lit up with a big smile as he threw out his arms.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's just like Shipley: it uses its knowledge about you to steer you toward choices you wouldn't normally know about.... Shipley mentions a new book she likes, "Nissa's Place," by Alexandria LaFaye.

The New Yorker

Here are some of their responses, as well as some advice about books to steer clear of if you want to avoid sobbing in front of strangers.

The Guardian - Books

With David Wessel, Adrian Freed, and Michael Zbyszynski, we came up with some interesting and innovative ideas about how to steer the computer from the instrument in a way that could be integrated into normal playing.

University of California, Berkeley

Along with James J. Nash, the former treasurer of the town and the school board, Mr. Malloy was found to have lied about bids to steer at least 30 township contracts to his friends and relatives over a 17-year period.

The New York Times

"I know enough about tea to steer people in the right direction, but I'm not an expert," Ms. Sileo said, recounting the story from the early 1800's of Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, who felt faint with hunger in late afternoon and is often credited with having invented afternoon teatime.

The New York Times

Based on your results from last year, think about how to steer your efforts in the coming year to emphasize the most influential factors in your performance.

Forbes

However, the very ambiguities complicate both the opening-up and closing-down of the innovation, so that during the R&D throughput (Blok & Lemmens, 2015), it can be difficult to reach a joint understanding about how to steer the innovation, and to formulate decisions that would be genuinely representative to stakeholder insights.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about to steer" when you want to convey that an action of directing or guiding is imminent. It works well in both literal contexts, like piloting a vehicle, and metaphorical contexts, such as managing a project.

Common error

Avoid using "about to steer" if the action is not happening very soon. If the action is further in the future, consider using phrases like "planning to steer" or "intending to guide" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to steer" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an imminent action. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and is used to express that someone or something is on the verge of directing or controlling a particular course or situation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "about to steer" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression that signifies an imminent action of directing or guiding, as affirmed by Ludwig. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, and Ludwig examples showcase its usage in various situations, from literal navigation to metaphorical control. While its overall frequency is rare, understanding its proper usage and context is key to effective communication. Remember to use it when emphasizing that an action is on the verge of occurring, and to avoid it when referring to actions in the distant future. Keep in mind the alternatives such as "on the verge of steering" and "ready to direct" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of steering

Emphasizes the closeness to the act of steering.

just about to guide

Similar to 'about to steer' but uses the word 'guide'.

on the brink of guiding

Uses 'guiding' as a synonym for 'steering', focusing on direction.

on the point of directing

Highlights the exact moment when direction will be given.

ready to direct

Highlights readiness and the action of directing.

on course to guide

Indicates a planned direction for guiding.

preparing to navigate

Focuses on the preparation and the act of navigation.

nearing the act of steering

Focuses on the proximity to the action of steering.

set to control

Indicates an intention to take control.

approaching the control of

Shifts the focus to approaching control.

FAQs

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

You can use "about to steer" to describe someone who is on the verge of taking control or directing a situation, for example: "The captain was "about to steer" the ship into the harbor."

What are some alternatives to "about to steer"?

Alternatives include "on the verge of steering", "ready to direct", or "preparing to navigate", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "about to steer" in formal writing?

Yes, "about to steer" can be used in formal writing. It is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase. Ludwig AI confirms that usage is correct and can be applied across a variety of contexts.

What is the difference between "about to steer" and "going to steer"?

"About to steer" implies a higher degree of immediacy than "going to steer". "About to steer" suggests the action will happen very soon, while "going to steer" suggests a future intention without specifying the exact timeframe.