was about to conclude

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was about to conclude" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was on the verge of finishing or coming to an end. Example: "The meeting was about to conclude when the fire alarm went off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The teacher was about to conclude that her work was all in vain, when she read in the local papers that the Bear Don't Walk family had received permission from the Indian Agent, to change their name to "Bear-Doesn't Walk".

The New Yorker

He was about to conclude a treaty with the Swedes, placing the Cossacks under Swedish rule, when he died.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I was about to conclude this post by saying that this much more fanciful cartoon of mine, from 1990, couldn't possibly remain anything but fanciful.

The New Yorker

She was fired, and replaced by Joshua Safran, who was still trying to get the glitter out of his hair from working on Gossip Girl, which was about to conclude its six-season run.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Amid the referee-controversy backdrop, two weeks of incredibly good basketball were about to conclude.

The New York Times - Sports

Bypass Lane also has a feature called Last Call, which notifies patrons when beer sales are about to conclude.

The New York Times

Now that the nearly two-week buildup to the Frozen Four is about to conclude, the Bulldogs are eager to seize their rare opportunity.

The New York Times - Sports

Jeff Zucker, the president of NBC Entertainment, would not confirm a deal was about to be concluded, but said, "We have been seeking a deal with Jessica for some time and we are hopeful that it will happen".

The New York Times

The government's spending review is about to conclude.

The Guardian

She has one degree from Britain and is about to conclude another in her native Spain.

The Economist

The UN climate change talks in Cancun are about to conclude.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was about to conclude" to indicate that an event or process was very near its end but may not have actually finished. For instance, "The speaker was about to conclude his speech when the lights went out."

Common error

Avoid using "was about to conclude" when the event has already ended. Instead, use "concluded" or "had concluded". For example, instead of "He was about to conclude the meeting yesterday", say "He concluded the meeting yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was about to conclude" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an action that was imminent. Ludwig examples show it describing events nearing completion, like treaties or meetings. This phrase adds a sense of anticipation or near-completion to the sentence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Encyclopedias

29%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was about to conclude" effectively conveys that an action or event was on the verge of completion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and applicability across various contexts. Although relatively uncommon, as evidenced by the limited number of examples, it serves a precise communicative function, often found in News & Media and Encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure the tense aligns with the timeline of the event, avoiding its use for actions already completed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was on the verge of ending

Emphasizes the imminence of the ending.

was nearing its end

Highlights the progression towards the end.

was drawing to a close

Suggests a gradual and gentle termination.

was coming to a finish

Focuses on the act of finishing.

was at the point of finalizing

Emphasizes the act of making something final.

was on the brink of completion

Highlights being very close to finishing.

was close to wrapping up

Suggests an informal and quick finish.

was in the process of terminating

Focuses on the termination process.

was about to be over

Simply indicates something is nearing its end.

was on the verge of resolution

Highlights the imminence of the resolution.

FAQs

What does "was about to conclude" mean?

The phrase "was about to conclude" means that something was very close to finishing or ending. It suggests that the action was on the verge of completion.

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

You can use "was about to conclude" to describe an action or event that was nearing its end. For example, "The negotiations "were about to conclude" when a new issue arose."

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

You can use alternatives like "was on the verge of ending", "was nearing its end", or "was drawing to a close" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "were about to conclude"?

Yes, "were about to conclude" is correct when referring to a plural subject. For example, "The meetings "were about to conclude" simultaneously."