is about to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is about to be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something will happen soon or will begin very soon. For example: "The summer vacation is about to be over."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My pension is about to be slashed.

The Guardian - Business

That distribution problem is about to be fixed.

The New Yorker

Lonnie's tongue is about to be removed.

BBC

Or is about to be.

Huffington Post

The new Doctor Who is about to be unveiled.

HuffPost

Its resilience is about to be tested.

The Economist

That commitment is about to be tested.

The New Yorker

He is about to be released.

The Economist

Food rationing is about to be introduced...

The New York Times

Complete happiness is about to be yours.

The Guardian

CANADA is about to be invaded.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is about to be" when you want to create a sense of anticipation or emphasize the imminence of an event or change. For a more formal tone consider using "is on the verge of being".

Common error

While "is about to be" is generally acceptable, it can sometimes sound less formal than alternatives like "is on the cusp of being" or "is slated to be". Consider the context and audience when choosing your wording.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is about to be" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an imminent future action or state. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It modifies a noun or pronoun by expressing that something will happen very soon.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is about to be" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verbal phrase that indicates an imminent future action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility allows for use across a range of contexts, primarily in news and media, but also in academic and scientific writing. While neutral in register, writers may consider more formal alternatives in specific contexts, such as "is on the verge of being". The phrase effectively builds anticipation and signals that something significant is expected to occur shortly. Its high frequency and acceptance across authoritative sources underscore its reliability and appropriateness in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is on the verge of being

Emphasizes the state of being close to a particular condition.

is on the cusp of being

Highlights a transitional state, suggesting an imminent change or transformation.

will soon be

Simply indicates a future state with a short timeframe.

is nearing

Focuses on the process of approaching a specific point or event.

is approaching

Similar to "is nearing", but can also imply a more active movement toward a state.

is imminent

Stresses the inevitability and nearness of an event.

is in the process of being

Highlights that something is actively undergoing transformation.

is slated to be

Implies a planned or scheduled future event.

is scheduled to be

Similar to "is slated to be", emphasizing a formal arrangement.

is anticipated to be

Focuses on expectation that something will occur.

FAQs

What does "is about to be" mean?

The phrase "is about to be" means that something will happen very soon or is on the verge of occurring. It indicates that an event or change is imminent.

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

You can use "is about to be" to describe an event that is expected to happen in the near future. For example, "The meeting "will soon be" starting" or "The project "is nearing" completion".

What are some alternatives to "is about to be"?

Alternatives to "is about to be" include "is on the verge of being", "is on the cusp of being", "will soon be", and "is imminent". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "is about to be" formal or informal?

"Is about to be" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain situations.