just about to give

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just about to give" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is on the verge of providing something or taking an action. Example: "I was just about to give my presentation when the power went out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

I was just about to give up.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

DUBLIN -- Tracy Doyle is just about to give up on Ireland.

The New York Times

Did Carrie let you in?" "I was just about to give up on you," he said.

The New Yorker

We are just about to give up when we find the road, leading into the woods.

The New York Times - Travel

You will be just about to give up hope when suddenly it will appear.

The Guardian - Travel

"It's like reaching a wall with something," she has said, "and the step before you're just about to give up is… 'c'mon, man!

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

But just as one was about to give up, Mr. Heron would grab some prop and become a brilliant and surprisingly lovable performance artist.

The New York Times - Arts

But just as you are about to give up and have another handful of comfort chocolates, up pops a gem that captures the essence of sport: Idris Elba: King of Speed.

Independent

But just when you're about to give up hope, a sterling exception comes riding over a desert dune.

Huffington Post

But then, just when I was about to give up, I noticed one last story.

TechCrunch

But then, just as we were about to give up and go to McDonald's... No, it wasn't another dream.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just about to give" when you want to emphasize the imminence of an action, particularly when there's a sense of anticipation or a potential change of plans. For instance, "I was "just about to give" up when I found it."

Common error

While "just about to give" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing. Alternatives like "was on the verge of providing" or "was about to offer" may be more appropriate for maintaining a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just about to give" functions as a modifier indicating an action that is on the cusp of happening. As supported by Ludwig, it clearly conveys imminent action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just about to give" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express that an action is on the verge of happening. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and suitable for various contexts, though it might be less ideal for highly formal writing. You can use alternatives like "on the verge of giving" or "about to give" depending on the desired level of formality. Be mindful of overusing the phrase, especially in formal settings, and consider using more sophisticated alternatives. The phrase is frequently found in News & Media and Wiki contexts, making it versatile for diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of giving

Emphasizes the closeness to the act of giving, suggesting a critical point right before the action.

about to give

A more concise way of saying the same thing, removing "just" for brevity.

on the point of giving

Highlights the specific moment when the action is most likely to happen.

ready to give

Focuses on the preparedness for giving, indicating readiness.

on the brink of giving

Suggests a critical moment with a slightly more dramatic tone.

close to giving

Indicates proximity to the act of giving, emphasizing nearness.

nearing the act of giving

A more descriptive way of illustrating the approach towards giving.

almost giving

Highlights that the action is nearly completed, focusing on the near completion.

on the cusp of giving

Uses a more metaphorical term to describe being on the edge of giving.

at the threshold of giving

Emphasizes the beginning of the act of giving, using a threshold metaphor.

FAQs

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

You can use "just about to give" to indicate that an action was on the verge of happening. For example, "I was "just about to give" up looking for my keys when I found them under the couch."

What are some alternatives to "just about to give"?

Some alternatives include "about to give", "on the verge of giving", or "on the point of giving". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "about to give" and "just about to give"?

While both phrases express imminence, "just about to give" emphasizes that the action was very close to occurring, perhaps even closer than "about to give" implies.

When is it appropriate to use "just about to give" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "just about to give" in informal to neutral contexts where you want to express that an action was nearly happening. However, in very formal or academic writing, consider using alternatives like "was on the verge of".