is about to begin

USAGE SUMMARY

"is about to begin" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to express that something is about to happen soon. For example, "The celebration is about to begin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Battle of Britain is about to begin.

Forbes

Their real test is about to begin.

The Economist

But the fight is about to begin.

The New Yorker

The show is about to begin.

The New York Times - Sports

May Construction is about to begin.

The New York Times

And the race is about to begin.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Your journey is about to begin".

The New Yorker

The off-season is about to begin.

The New York Times

The journey is about to begin".

The Guardian

The next tour is about to begin.

The Guardian - Books

A party is about to begin.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates what "is about to begin". Avoid ambiguity by providing specific details.

Common error

Avoid using "is about to began". The correct form always uses the base form of the verb, "begin", after "to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is about to begin" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the imminent commencement of an action or event. Ludwig AI validates this widespread usage, as evidenced by numerous examples across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

9%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is about to begin" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express the imminent start of an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and avoid the common error of using the past tense form of 'begin'. Alternatives like "is on the verge of starting" or "will begin shortly" can add variety to your writing while maintaining the same core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is going to start

A more informal and direct way of expressing the same idea.

is on the verge of starting

Suggests a slightly more advanced stage of readiness compared to "is about to begin".

will begin shortly

Emphasizes the briefness of the waiting time until the beginning.

is poised to start

Implies readiness and anticipation for the beginning.

is set to commence

Implies a scheduled or planned start, adding a layer of formality.

will get underway soon

Similar to "will begin shortly", with a slightly more informal tone.

is starting imminently

Highlights the urgency and near certainty of the start.

is ready to kick off

An idiom, commonly used in sports or informal contexts, signaling the start of an activity.

is at the starting point

Focuses on the location or position just before the commencement.

is initiating now

Emphasizes the current moment as the point of beginning.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is about to begin"?

You can use alternatives like "is on the verge of starting", "is set to commence", or "is going to start" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is about to began" instead of "is about to begin"?

No, "is about to began" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "is about to begin", as the infinitive form of the verb "begin" should be used after "to".

In what contexts is "is about to begin" most appropriately used?

"Is about to begin" is versatile and can be used in various contexts, from formal announcements to informal conversations, to indicate the imminence of an event or action. For example: "The meeting is about to begin", or "The show is about to begin".

What's the difference between "is about to begin" and "is beginning"?

"Is about to begin" implies that something will start very soon, while "is beginning" suggests that something is already in the process of starting or has just started. The former indicates anticipation, while the latter indicates current action.