about to throw

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about to throw" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is on the verge of throwing something, often in a context of urgency or imminent action. Example: "He was so frustrated that he was about to throw his phone against the wall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm not about to throw in the towel.

The New York Times - Sports

Young, scrappy, hungry folk who are not about to throw away their shots.

The New York Times - Arts

9.35am: Team GB Bronze By "holding it together", I of course meant "tiring rapidly and about to throw it away".

The Guardian - Sport

Imagine what it is like to feel sea sick, just at that point when you are about to throw up.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If it's not out there already I'm not about to throw myself under the bus?!  .

BBC

We are about to throw it away.

HuffPost

I think she knows she's about to throw down, and she knows how to fight.

Huffington Post

Make sure your friends are not about to throw up.

WikiHow

If you are too ashamed to say so, tell the teacher that you are about to throw up.

WikiHow

Check to see if the packaging you are about to throw away can be returned for refill.

WikiHow

Bring the back leg's knee toward your guarding elbows, as if your about to throw the knee strike.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about to throw" to create a sense of immediacy or anticipation. It's effective when describing a character's impending action or a sports player's next move.

Common error

Avoid using "about to throw" when a more specific verb would better convey the action's force or direction. For example, instead of "about to throw the ball", consider "about to hurl the ball" or "wind up for a pitch" if that more accurately describes the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to throw" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adjectival modifier, indicating a state of imminence or preparation for the action of throwing. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and commonly used. The phrase modifies a verb, specifying when the action of throwing is likely to occur.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

8%

Social Media

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "about to throw" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase that effectively conveys the imminence of a throwing action. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Wiki, and Formal & Business settings, make it a reliable choice for expressing near-future actions. While alternatives like "on the verge of throwing" or "preparing to throw" exist, the specific context should guide the most appropriate selection. Remember to consider the implied force and intended audience when using the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of throwing

Emphasizes the point immediately preceding the act of throwing.

on the brink of throwing

Highlights the closeness to the action, suggesting a critical threshold.

on the point of throwing

Another way to express being very close to throwing something.

just about to hurl

Uses "hurl" to imply a forceful throw, adding intensity.

preparing to throw

Focuses on the preparatory actions before the throw.

getting ready to throw

Similar to "preparing to throw", but with a more casual tone.

intending to throw

Emphasizes the intention behind the act of throwing.

aiming to throw

Suggests a deliberate action with a specific target.

readying to launch

More formal, and often used for projectiles or campaigns, like launching a product or ball.

going to toss

Uses "toss" which implies a lighter, more casual throw.

FAQs

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

You can use "about to throw" to describe an action that is going to happen immediately. For example, "The pitcher was "about to throw" the ball" or "She was so angry she was "about to throw" the vase across the room".

What are some alternatives to "about to throw"?

Some alternatives include "on the verge of throwing", "preparing to throw", or "just "going to throw" depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it better to say "about to throw" or "going to throw"?

"About to throw" suggests an action is imminent, happening in the very near future. "Going to throw" can indicate a plan or intention, without the same sense of immediate action. The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

What does "about to throw in the towel" mean?

"Throw in the towel" is an idiom meaning to give up or quit. It originates from boxing, where a fighter's corner would throw a towel into the ring to signal defeat. It's different from the literal sense of "about to throw".