we are about to

USAGE SUMMARY

"we are about to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are about to do something, such as "We are about to start the meeting".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

We are about to see".

The New York Times

We are about to find out.

The New York Times

We are about to become environmental optimists.

The New Yorker

We are about to pull away.

The New York Times

How strong, we are about to discover.

The New York Times - Sports

"We are about to arrive.

The Guardian

"We are about to repeat that debacle.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

We were about to be attacked.

The New York Times

We're about to jump the shark".

The New York Times

We're about to die down here".

The New York Times

We're about to address the invitations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we are about to" to create a sense of anticipation or immediacy in your writing.

Common error

While useful, avoid overuse in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for stronger verbs or more precise language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are about to" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an imminent action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common way to express that something is on the verge of happening. The examples show its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we are about to" is a frequently used verbal phrase to signal an impending action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It's most common in news and media, and generally maintains a neutral register. For those seeking alternatives, phrases like ""we are going to"" or ""we're on the verge of"" offer similar meanings, though "we are about to" often carries a stronger sense of immediacy. When writing, use it to create anticipation, but avoid overuse in very formal contexts for a more professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we're just about to

Adds "just" for emphasis on the immediacy of the action.

we're on the verge of

Uses a different prepositional phrase to convey the idea of being close to an event.

we're on the point of

Similar to "on the verge of" but with a slightly more formal tone.

we will shortly

Uses an adverb to indicate that something will happen soon.

we're going to

A more general way of expressing a future action without the same sense of immediacy.

we're preparing to

Focuses on the preparation aspect rather than the immediate action.

we stand ready to

Implies a state of readiness and willingness to act.

we're anticipating

Focuses on the expectation of something happening.

we expect to

Expresses an expectation rather than an immediate action.

the moment is near when we will

A more elaborate way of expressing the imminence of an event.

FAQs

How can I use "we are about to" in a sentence?

Use "we are about to" to indicate that an action or event is going to happen very soon, such as, "We are about to launch the new product".

What can I say instead of "we are about to"?

You can use alternatives like "we are going to", "we're on the verge of", or "we're just about to" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "we are about to"?

While generally acceptable, consider the formality of your context. In very formal writing, alternatives like "we will shortly" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "we are about to" and "we are going to"?

"We are about to" implies greater immediacy than "we are going to". The former suggests the action will happen almost immediately, while the latter simply indicates a future action.