is about to commit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is about to commit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is on the verge of taking an action, often with a sense of immediacy or urgency. Example: "He is about to commit to a decision that could change his life forever."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Britain is about to commit to modernising its forces, as well, while France is halfway through the process.

The Economist

Even as Japan is about to commit troops in Iraq, sending its military abroad for the first time since World War II, the tension between old ways and modern life is evident.

The New York Times

And neither is about to commit suicide.

The Economist

The Doctor is about to commit genocide.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Titian lived in Venice, where Shakespeare set his tragedy Othello, and like Othello, the husband in the painting is so obsessively jealous he is about to commit murder.

The Guardian - Arts

This latest novel broaches many topics but has a rather tenuous plot.A young man, disappointed with the broken promises of the 1968 movement, is about to commit suicide.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

I am about to commit a new millennium offense for which there is no punishment.

The New York Times

One man's journal refers to "a sin as grave as the one I am about to commit," which sounds juicy, but the revelation is disappointingly unoriginal.

The New York Times

He even stopped himself short at one point in the interview as he was about to "commit news," as he put it.

The New York Times

One case history with which he confronts students involves an American officer in postwar occupied Japan who learns that some defeated soldiers are about to commit ritual suicide.

The New York Times

I am about to commit an act of meta-journalism.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is about to commit" to create a sense of immediacy or anticipation, signaling that an action is imminent. For example, "The company is about to commit significant resources to the project."

Common error

While "is about to commit" is grammatically sound, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using alternatives like "is on the verge of" or "is poised to" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "is about to commit" is to indicate an impending action. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it signifies that someone or something is on the brink of performing a specific action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is about to commit" serves as a powerful tool to convey imminent action, as validated by Ludwig AI. Its versatility spans various contexts, most notably in news and media, but also in academic and general discourse. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, as outlined by Ludwig, overuse should be avoided in favor of semantically similar alternatives, such as "is on the verge of committing" or "intends to commit", to maintain stylistic diversity and prevent reader fatigue. In essence, "is about to commit" effectively communicates that something is on the cusp of happening, and that immediacy should be anticipated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is on the verge of committing

Emphasizes the closeness to the action, suggesting a point just before it happens.

is on the brink of committing

Similar to 'verge', but often implies a more critical or dangerous situation.

is going to commit

A more straightforward and common way of expressing future intent.

intends to commit

Focuses on the intention or plan to carry out the action.

plans to commit

Similar to 'intends', highlighting the planning aspect.

is preparing to commit

Highlights the preparatory steps being taken before the action.

is set to commit

Indicates a scheduled or predetermined action.

is poised to commit

Suggests readiness and anticipation of the action.

is close to committing

Emphasizes the proximity in time or decision-making to the action.

will soon commit

Indicates that the action will happen in the near future.

FAQs

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

Use "is about to commit" to indicate that someone or something is on the verge of performing an action. For instance, "The government "is about to commit" to new environmental regulations".

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

You can use alternatives like "is on the verge of committing", "is going to commit", or "intends to commit" depending on the specific context.

Is "is about to commit" formal or informal?

"Is about to commit" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives might be preferred in certain professional settings.

What's the difference between "is about to commit" and "will commit"?

"Is about to commit" suggests a higher degree of immediacy and certainty compared to "will commit". "Is about to commit" implies that the action is imminent, while "will commit" simply indicates a future action without specifying when.