is about to arrive

USAGE SUMMARY

"is about to arrive" is a correct and common phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is expected to happen very soon or in the near future. Here is an example: "The train is about to arrive at the platform, so we better hurry and find our seats."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

And thanks to satellite-tracking gear on vehicles, supermarkets can be alerted when a truck is about to arrive so they can prepare for unloading.Individually these are small things, but taken together they can make a huge difference.

The Economist

"Phallucifer" is about to arrive.

Vice

Daylight saving time is about to arrive.

The Guardian - Opinion

When the opera opens, Anatol is about to arrive.

The New York Times - Arts

Because the hardest bit of the economic crisis is about to arrive.

The Economist

The escalating hints that terror is about to arrive are too broad.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

So both sides won: Paris liberated itself but only as the allies were about to arrive.

The Guardian

The first 50 prisoners were about to arrive, and eventually 400 would be held here, Mr. Zahir said.

The New York Times

"We are about to arrive.

The Guardian

A rowdy new class of freshmen was about to arrive.

The New Yorker

I say, 'No big deal.' " The donors were about to arrive.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is about to arrive" to create a sense of anticipation or immediacy in your writing. It effectively conveys that an event or arrival will occur very soon.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overusing "is about to arrive" in highly formal or academic writing. More precise language might be preferred in such situations, like "will commence shortly" or "is scheduled to occur".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is about to arrive" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an imminent action or event. It signifies that something is on the cusp of happening, creating a sense of anticipation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is about to arrive" is a common and correct phrase used to express the imminence of an event or arrival. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its prevalence across sources like The Guardian, The New York Times, and TechCrunch highlights its versatile use in news, general writing, and technical contexts. For alternatives, consider "is on the verge of arriving" or "will arrive shortly" to subtly alter the tone or emphasis. While suitable for various registers, be mindful of overuse in overly formal academic writing. Understanding these nuances will enable more effective and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is on the verge of arriving

Emphasizes the closeness to the arrival, suggesting being at the very edge of the event.

is nearing arrival

Focuses on the process of getting closer to the destination or event.

will arrive shortly

Indicates that the arrival will happen soon, without emphasizing the anticipation.

is coming soon

A more general expression indicating that something will happen in the near future.

is due to arrive

Highlights a scheduled or expected arrival time.

is expected momentarily

Suggests that the arrival is anticipated at any moment.

is fast approaching

Emphasizes the speed at which something is getting closer.

is imminent

A more formal term indicating that something is about to happen or arrive.

is drawing near

A slightly more literary way of saying that something is getting closer.

is just around the corner

An idiomatic expression indicating that something is very close in time.

FAQs

How can I use "is about to arrive" in a sentence?

You can use "is about to arrive" to indicate that something will happen very soon. For example, "The bus is about to arrive, so let's get ready".

What can I say instead of "is about to arrive"?

You can use alternatives like "is on the verge of arriving", "will arrive shortly", or "is coming soon" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "is about to arrive" or "will arrive"?

"Is about to arrive" indicates greater immediacy than "will arrive". "Is about to arrive" suggests the event will happen almost immediately, whereas "will arrive" is more general.

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

While both phrases express a future event, "is about to arrive" often carries a stronger sense of immediacy and anticipation compared to "is going to arrive".