about to sweep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about to sweep" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is imminent or about to happen, often in the context of an action or event that will take place soon. Example: "The storm is about to sweep through the town, bringing heavy rain and strong winds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Nobody is pretending that rugby league is about to sweep the globe.

The Guardian - Sport

The Democrats are about to sweep New York, and Hillary might be President in 2008".

The New Yorker

"We couldn't find a camera," Mr. Rhoades said, "and we were about to sweep them off the table.

The New York Times

The only problem with the building was the electronic revolution that was about to sweep through the financial services industry.

The Guardian

Now some forecasters are warning that waves of failures, bankruptcies and layoffs are about to sweep through the industry.

The New York Times

But there was no hint that he was about to sweep away the ancien régime.Moreover, his accession is still dogged by controversy and uncertainty.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

• Bloggies Recognizes New Trends Quick, what was the catchiest idea about blogs to sweep the Web last year: podcasting, food blogging parties, group photo captions or themed photo contests?

The Washington Post

Rumours that Laiki was about to collapse swept Cyprus.

The Guardian - Business

But the part about the world being broken or intolerable, about the need to sweep away the past to make room for the new?

The New Yorker

Now, it takes the beam about a second to sweep the whole area, but because the beam can be directed at will (no need to turn a dish), if it detects an object, it can dedicate extra resources to tracking it more closely.

TechCrunch

Throughout 1917 the Admiralty was becoming more concerned about German efforts to sweep paths through the British-laid minefields intended to restrict the actions of the High Seas Fleet and German submarines.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about to sweep" to create a sense of immediacy and anticipation in your writing. It is effective when describing events that are on the cusp of occurring, adding dynamism to the narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "about to sweep" excessively in passive voice constructions. It can make your writing sound clunky. Instead, opt for active voice to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to sweep" primarily functions as a verb phrase expressing future action or an imminent event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes situations that are on the cusp of occurring. For example, "The storm is about to sweep through the town."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "about to sweep" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate that an event or action is imminent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, signaling anticipation and potential impact. While versatile, avoiding overuse in passive voice can enhance writing clarity. Alternatives such as "on the verge of sweeping" or "poised to sweep" offer nuanced variations for different writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of sweeping

Emphasizes the closeness to the action of sweeping, highlighting that it is just about to happen.

on the cusp of sweeping

Highlights the transitional moment right before sweeping occurs, indicating a poised state.

set to sweep

Indicates a planned or highly probable sweeping action, suggesting preparation and intent.

going to sweep

A more informal and direct way of expressing the future action of sweeping.

poised to sweep

Emphasizes readiness and balance before performing the action of sweeping.

ready to sweep

Indicates a state of preparedness for sweeping, highlighting the capability to act.

on the brink of sweeping

Similar to 'on the verge,' but carries a slightly stronger sense of impending action.

at the point of sweeping

Specifies the precise moment just before sweeping commences.

nearing a sweep

Suggests the approach of sweeping, indicating that it will occur in the near future.

approaching a sweep

Similar to 'nearing a sweep', conveying the idea that the sweeping action is drawing closer.

FAQs

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

You can use "about to sweep" to describe an imminent event or action. For instance, "The new policy is about to sweep changes through the organization", indicating that significant changes are expected soon.

What are some alternatives to "about to sweep"?

Alternatives include "on the verge of sweeping", "poised to sweep", or "set to sweep", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "about to sweep" formal or informal?

"About to sweep" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more common in news and media.

What does "about to sweep" imply?

It implies that something is imminent and will likely have a significant impact. The phrase suggests a rapid or widespread action is about to occur, such as a trend or a change.