just about to ask

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just about to ask" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that you are on the verge of posing a question or inquiry. Example: "I was just about to ask if you could help me with this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

And I was just about to ask what it was.

The New York Times

ALEX KOPPELMAN: Was just about to ask that same question, David.

The New Yorker

I was just about to ask when – WHAM! – the first shot rang out and blood suddenly spurted from my chest.

The Guardian - Film

And this from an M.T.A. that is just about to ask its millions of commuters to pay more for their daily transit.

The New York Times

But you should've told me earlier that you also help your clients decide whether to get into new markets". Caldwell was just about to ask McWilliams what he was talking about when Rafferty joined them.

Harvard Business Review

He's got everything right as Reggie: the walk, the beautiful hands, the way he holds the cigarettes and that frown which was always quizzical as if he's just about to ask you a question.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

But just as I was about to ask her if she understood, or if she had questions, she leaned forward and looked me square in the eye and said, "I don't want that plea offer.

Vice

Emboldened by the booze and the country air, I wanted to shoot something just then, and I knew that Rod could tell because, just as I was about to ask if I could borrow a gun, he pointed at his watch.

Los Angeles Times

The police said that Mr. Singh was shot just as he was about to ask Mr. Popadich where he wanted to be dropped off.

The New York Times

Just as you're about to ask if she'd like to have lunch next week, someone else pushes her way into the conversation.

Forbes

Six months later, just as Eisenberg was about to ask Amgen for a $100,000 grant for a university study, Amgen came back with some new math: Up Aranesp's share of epoetin spending to 65% or you'll only be eligible for the lowest rebate tier, says Eisenberg.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just about to ask" when you want to convey the immediacy and anticipation of posing a question or making an inquiry. It adds a sense of timing to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase in contexts where the action of asking has already occurred. "Just about to ask" implies the moment before the question is posed, not after.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just about to ask" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating the imminence of asking a question. It specifies the timing of an action, portraying that the subject was on the verge of inquiring about something before another event occurred. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "just about to ask" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that signifies the imminence of posing a question. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is versatile enough to fit into neutral contexts such as news and media, as well as formal or business communication. While alternatives such as "on the verge of asking" or "was going to ask" exist, "just about to ask" effectively conveys a sense of anticipation and timing. Therefore, writers can confidently employ this phrase in various scenarios, while being mindful of using the correct tense and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of asking

Indicates being close to asking, similar to "just about to ask".

on the point of asking

British English alternative, similar to "on the verge of asking".

about to inquire

Formal alternative, suggesting a slightly more deliberate question.

was going to ask

Past tense, indicating intention to ask but possibly not carried out.

had intended to ask

Emphasizes prior intention, slightly more formal.

close to asking

Highlights proximity to asking, more concise.

contemplated asking

Implies consideration before asking, more reflective.

thinking of asking

Suggests a thought process leading to the question.

ready to ask

Highlights preparedness, less about immediacy.

almost about to ask

Emphasizes nearness to the act of asking but with a less standard structure.

FAQs

What does "just about to ask" mean?

The phrase "just about to ask" means that someone was on the verge of posing a question at a specific moment.

How can I use "just about to ask" in a sentence?

You can use "just about to ask" to indicate that you were about to say something, such as "I was "just about to ask" the same question when you interrupted me."

Are there any synonyms for "just about to ask"?

Yes, some synonyms include "on the verge of asking", "about to inquire", or "was going to ask".

Is "just about to ask" formal or informal?

"Just about to ask" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and situation.