he is about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is about" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, such as to describe someone's actions or whereabouts. Example: "I haven't seen Bob all day, but I think he is about to come home from work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He is about forty.

The New Yorker

He is about to cry.

The New Yorker

We all knew what he is about".

The New York Times - Sports

Just tell him he is about... he's completing... he is about to complete lap eight".

The Guardian - Sport

He is about as righteous as a sock puppet.

Huffington Post

He is about winning".

The New York Times

He is about to die.

Independent

He is about to be released.

The Economist

He is about to get his wish.

The New York Times

He is about to make it home.

The New York Times - Sports

He is about winning and losing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he is about" to indicate an action that is expected to happen soon or to describe someone's general character or purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "he is about" when a more precise verb or phrase would better convey the intended meaning. For example, instead of saying "he is about winning", consider "he aims to win" or "his goal is to win".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is about" functions as a versatile expression indicating either an imminent action (e.g., "he is about to leave") or a defining characteristic or intention (e.g., "he is about honesty"). Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he is about" is a versatile construct used to convey either an imminent action or a defining characteristic. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, primarily in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, more formal contexts may benefit from more precise phrasing. When indicating an imminent action, alternatives like ""he is going to"" or "he is on the verge of" provide similar meanings, though the specific nuance changes. Avoiding overuse and ensuring contextual precision are key to effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is just about to

Highlights the immediate timing of a future action.

he is going to

Focuses on imminent future action rather than inherent qualities or intentions.

he is nearly to

Emphasizes the proximity to a certain action or state.

he is close to

Highlights the nearness of an event or condition.

he is in the process of

Emphasizes the active undertaking of a specific action.

he is on the point of

Indicates the high likelihood of an immediate occurrence.

he is intending to

Stresses the planned or purposed nature of an action.

he is on the verge of

Suggests an impending event or change.

he is on course to

Highlights progress towards a certain goal.

he is set to

Implies a scheduled or predetermined future action.

FAQs

How can I use "he is about" in a sentence?

You can use "he is about" to describe someone's characteristics or intentions, as in "He is about honesty and integrity", or to indicate an imminent action, such as "He is about to leave".

What's the difference between "he is about to" and "he is going to"?

"He is about to" indicates an action happening very soon, while "he is going to" ("he is going to") suggests a more general future intention or plan.

What can I say instead of "he is about"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include ""he is going to"", "he intends to", or "he is on the verge of".

Is it correct to say "he is about honesty"?

Yes, "he is about honesty" is grammatically correct and used to indicate that honesty is a core value or principle that guides his actions and decisions.