was about to complete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was about to complete" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was on the verge of finishing a task or action in the past. Example: "She was about to complete her report when the power went out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Kurosu, 20, of Japan, was about to complete her first Olympics in 34th place out of 36 competitors.

The New York Times - Sports

I was about to complete my order when one of the cats jumped up on the desk and hit the mouse.

The New York Times - Tech

He knew he was about to complete a 3-point play to relieve the anxiety that was building inside the Knicks.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Hamoud, looking surprised, pointed out again that it was a much larger project than the one he was about to complete.

The New York Times

The 37-year-old Johnny Newman, never an All-Star, was about to complete one of the best games of his 15-year career.

The New York Times - Sports

Joss was born in Leicester, went to school there and was about to complete a part-time history course at Leicester University.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"I am about to complete my third year as a professional and feel ready to take my career to the next stage," said Van Poppel.

The Guardian - Sport

Dr. Stöhr said that researchers in Hong Kong were about to complete tests to determine how long virus-contaminated feces could persist on various surfaces like metal, cotton, plastic, even skin.

The New York Times

Sterling's first-half parade was about to be completed.

The Guardian - Sport

Just tell him he is about... he's completing... he is about to complete lap eight".

The Guardian - Sport

Is he blind?" Stefano Beruschi, 24, is about to complete his menswear MA.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was about to complete" to clearly indicate an action that was very close to being finished at a specific point in the past. Ensure the context provides a clear understanding of what action was nearing completion.

Common error

Avoid using "was about to complete" when referring to future actions. This phrase describes a past situation where completion was imminent. For future scenarios, use "is/will be about to complete".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was about to complete" functions as a verb phrase indicating an imminent action in the past. It signifies that an action was on the verge of being finished. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through various examples showing its role in narrating past events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

General

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was about to complete" is a commonly used verb phrase that describes an action very near to completion in the past. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's crucial to maintain proper tense consistency to prevent errors. Related phrases such as "was on the verge of completing" and "was close to finishing" offer suitable alternatives for different shades of meaning. Remember to use "was about to complete" to clearly convey the sense of imminence and near accomplishment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was on the verge of completing

Replaces "about to" with "on the verge of", emphasizing the closeness to completion.

was just about to finish

Adds "just" for emphasis, highlighting the immediate nature of the impending completion.

was close to finishing

Uses simpler vocabulary; "close to" instead of "about to" and "finishing" instead of "completing".

was nearing completion

More formal, using "nearing" to convey approaching completion.

stood on the brink of completing

More dramatic and figurative, suggesting a critical point before completion.

was in the process of finalizing

Focuses on the action of finalizing, implying near completion.

was at the point of completing

Highlights a specific stage where completion is imminent.

was ready to complete

Emphasizes readiness, indicating all preparations were made for completion.

was on the home stretch of completing

Idiomatic expression suggesting the final part of a task.

was nearing the end of

Focuses on approaching the end of a task or process.

FAQs

How can I use "was about to complete" in a sentence?

Use "was about to complete" to describe an action that was on the verge of being finished in the past. For example: "She "was about to complete" her degree when she got a job offer".

What can I say instead of "was about to complete"?

You can use alternatives like "was on the verge of completing", "was close to finishing", or "was nearing completion" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is about to complete" when referring to a future event?

Yes, "is about to complete" is correct for future events, while "was about to complete" refers to past events. For example: "He is about to complete the race" indicates a near-future action.

What's the difference between "was about to complete" and "had completed"?

"Was about to complete" indicates an action that was close to finishing but not yet done. "Had completed" signifies that the action was fully finished at a point in the past. The first is about the process, while the second is about the result.