about to swing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about to swing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is on the verge of swinging or about to take action. Example: "The baseball player is about to swing at the pitch, hoping for a home run."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

At the age of 11, in the spring of 1964, just as the 1960s were about to swing, my family moved from a rural corner of Scotland.

Vice

I don't have the space to really stand in my place, at least not with the intention to properly move about, to swing an arm it's all been relatively small movements.

Vice

I don't have the space to really stand in my place, at least not with the intention to properly move about, to swing an arm – it's all been relatively small movements.

Vice

Kaymer was about to swing, but wisely stepped away, and addressed the ball again.

The Guardian - Sport

I was pulled up by some of those already on it and was just about to swing my legs over it when it snapped.

The Guardian - Sport

Interestingly it swung, and I'm about to swing for someone/thing in a minute if my computer doesn't start smartening up.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

He also admitted approaching his agent, David Falk, earlier in his career about trying to swing a deal with one or more of his clients to help the Knicks win a title.

The New York Times - Sports

"We worked hard throughout and we certainly thought at that point that the momentum was starting to swing about," Pocock says.

The Guardian - Sport

The pollsters can talk all they want about reaching out to swing voters.

The New York Times

Still, I don't doubt that in Ms. Mayer's shoes, I'd have made the same choice (and been just as blithe as any first-time parent about my ability to swing it).

The New York Times

They were relatively comfortable and not blister-inducing, so I was hooked for $215 and curious enough about United Nude to swing by the store on Bond Street once back in New York.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about to swing" to create a sense of anticipation or imminent action in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "about to swing" when describing a static situation; reserve it for moments of impending action. For example, instead of "The old gate was about to swing open," consider "The old gate looked like it would swing open easily" if there's no immediate intention to open it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to swing" functions as a predicate adjective phrase indicating an imminent action. It describes a state of readiness immediately preceding the action of swinging. As shown in Ludwig's examples, this phrase is frequently used in news, sports, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "about to swing" is a grammatically correct phrase used to denote an imminent action, as validated by Ludwig. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Sports. While not as frequent as other similar phrases, it effectively conveys anticipation. Ludwig AI highlights that it's crucial to reserve it for moments of impending action rather than static descriptions. Alternatives like "on the verge of swinging" or "ready to swing" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of swinging

Replaces "about to" with "on the verge of", emphasizing the imminence of the action.

just about to swing

Adds "just" for emphasis on the immediacy of the action.

ready to swing

Focuses on the preparedness for the action rather than the imminence.

going to swing

More informal alternative using "going to" instead of "about to".

poised to swing

Implies a readiness and balance before the action occurs.

on the point of swinging

Similar to "on the verge of", indicating a critical moment before the action.

on the brink of swinging

Highlights that the action is nearly happening.

close to swinging

Indicates proximity to the action but with less urgency.

nearing the swing

Focuses on the progression towards the act of swinging.

approaching the swing

Describes the process of getting ready for the action.

FAQs

What does "about to swing" mean?

"About to swing" means that someone or something is on the verge of swinging, or about to perform a swinging action. It indicates that the action is imminent.

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

You can use "about to swing" to describe a physical action, like in the sentence: "The baseball player is "ready to swing" at the pitch." It can also be used metaphorically.

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

Alternatives include "on the verge of swinging", "just about to swing", or "ready to swing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "about to be swinging" instead of "about to swing"?

While grammatically possible, "about to be swinging" is less common and can sound awkward. "About to swing" is generally the preferred and more concise option.