is about to start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is about to start" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to an event or activity that is imminent or will soon begin. For example: "The ceremony is about to start, so please take your seats."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The protection is about to start.

The New York Times - Sports

The party is about to start.

The Guardian - Music

— LYNN ZINSER Women's 200 meters is about to start.

The New York Times

Their son is about to start college in the city.

The Guardian

That pink ball game is about to start anytime now.

The Guardian - Sport

The race is about to start.

Los Angeles Times

PMQs is about to start.

The Guardian

The pain is about to start.

The Guardian

The third period is about to start.

The New York Times

Quick, the horseracing is about to start.

The Economist

Now that trial is about to start.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is about to start" when you want to emphasize the immediacy of an event. For instance, instead of saying "The meeting will start soon", you could say "The meeting is about to start" to convey a greater sense of urgency.

Common error

Be mindful of redundancy when using "is about to start". Avoid phrases like "is about to start starting", as this repeats the concept of commencement. Instead, rephrase to eliminate the duplication, such as "is about to commence".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is about to start" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an event's or action's imminent commencement. Ludwig examples confirm its role in expressing the near future. It serves to inform or alert an audience about something that will happen very soon.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is about to start" is a versatile and frequently used expression to indicate the immediate commencement of an event or action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It's particularly common in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of avoiding redundancy, and consider alternatives like "will commence shortly" or "is set to begin" for different nuances. The phrase is a strong choice to create a sense of immediacy and anticipation. Because Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, you can use it in your writing and be confident in your correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Is on the verge of beginning

Uses a different idiomatic expression to convey imminence.

Will commence shortly

Replaces "is about to" with "will" and uses "shortly" for imminence, sounding slightly more formal.

Is set to begin

Emphasizes a scheduled or planned start.

Is going to start

A more informal and conversational alternative.

Is on the point of starting

A more emphatic and slightly archaic way of expressing imminence.

Is nearing its commencement

Focuses on the approach of the starting point, adding a degree of anticipation.

Will be starting soon

Simple substitution of similar words. Slight difference in tone.

Is ready to roll

An informal and idiomatic way to indicate something is about to begin, especially a project or activity.

Is kicking off

An informal way to say that something is starting.

Is getting underway

Implies that the initial phase or preparations are complete and the main activity is commencing.

FAQs

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

You can use "is about to start" to indicate that something will begin very soon. For example, "The movie "is about to start", so please turn off your phones" or "The negotiations "are about to start", so everyone should be prepared".

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

Some alternatives include "is on the verge of beginning", "will commence shortly", or "is set to begin". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "is about to be started"?

While grammatically understandable, "is about to be started" is less common and can sound awkward. It's generally better to use the active voice, saying ""is about to start"" for clarity and conciseness. However, "are about to be started" can be used with a plural word.

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

"Is about to start" implies a greater sense of immediacy than "will start". "Is about to start" suggests the event is happening very soon, almost immediately, while "will start" simply indicates a future event.