we are about to begin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we are about to begin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an event or activity is about to start soon. Example: "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience. We are about to begin the presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

We are about to begin these negotiations and it would be wrong to set out unilateral positions in advance".

The Guardian

"We are about to begin our descent into Los Angeles" is the opening line of "The Graduate".

The New Yorker

Thus, we are about to begin a federal program that subsidizes layoffs to a degree that we have not seen before.

The New York Times

"Friends, fellow-citizens and girls," Jinjur declares, "we are about to begin our great Revolt against the men of Oz!" Too bad they didn't storm Disney next.

The New York Times

A spokesperson said: "We are about to begin these negotiations and it would be wrong to set out unilateral positions in advance.

The Guardian

Who could bear the thought that we are about to begin months of inquiries over whether Mr. Weiner sent seminaked pictures of himself to strangers from his personal BlackBerry or from a government-issued computer?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

We're about to begin.

The Guardian - Sport

We were about to begin our first college tour.

The New York Times

We're about to begin a great debate in the United States Congress.

The New York Times

"We're about to begin what your mother calls Phase Three of our lives".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

My understanding was that the Met's intention was to maintain a corps de ballet, and we're about to begin negotiating the terms of how it will be structured".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience. While "we are about to begin" is generally appropriate, more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "we are ready to commence".

Common error

Avoid using "we are about to begin" in casual conversations or informal settings. It can sound overly formal or stiff. Instead, opt for more relaxed alternatives like "let's get started" or "we're ready to go."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are about to begin" functions as an announcement or signal of an imminent start. It's used to prepare an audience or indicate that an activity is on the verge of commencing, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples from news, science and formal domains.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we are about to begin" is a grammatically sound and functional expression used to signal the imminent start of an event or activity. While versatile, it's most commonly found in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts, making it suitable for announcements, presentations, and professional settings. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. When choosing alternatives, consider the context and desired level of formality, opting for phrases like "we are about to start" in more casual situations or "we are ready to commence" for formal occasions. Overusing it in informal conversations should be avoided to prevent sounding overly stiff. Overall, "we are about to begin" is a useful phrase to prepare an audience for what's coming next.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are on the verge of starting

Emphasizes being at the very edge of beginning, almost immediately.

we are getting ready to commence

Uses a more formal term "commence" instead of "begin", suggesting a slightly more official start.

we are preparing to initiate

Highlights the preparation aspect before starting something, with "initiate" implying a planned beginning.

we're just about to kick off

Employs a more informal and energetic tone using the phrasal verb "kick off."

we are set to get underway

Indicates readiness and the imminent start, with "get underway" being slightly more formal.

we are starting momentarily

Stresses the short amount of time before the start, using "momentarily" to indicate immediacy.

we will be starting in a moment

Similar to 'we are starting momentarily' but uses a slightly more polite tone.

the commencement is imminent

A more formal and slightly dramatic way of saying something is about to begin.

we stand ready to begin

Highlights the state of readiness and willingness to start.

the start is just around the corner

Uses a more figurative expression, implying the start is very close.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "we are about to start", "we are getting ready to commence", or "we're just about to kick off" depending on the context.

Is "we are about to begin" formal or informal?

The phrase "we are about to begin" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It is appropriate for presentations, meetings, and announcements, but might sound too formal for casual conversations.

How to use "we are about to begin" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce the start of something, for example: "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience. "we are about to begin" the ceremony".

Which is correct, "we are about to begin" or "we are about to start"?

Both phrases are correct and have similar meanings. ""we are about to begin"" might be perceived as slightly more formal than "we are about to start", but they are largely interchangeable.