were about to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were about to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something was on the verge of happening in the past. Example: "They were about to leave the house when the phone rang."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They were about to melt.

The New York Times - Tech

They were about to eat.

The New Yorker

We were about to be attacked.

The New York Times

But things were about to get interesting.

Independent

The cabin doors were about to close.

The New Yorker

They were about to pack it in.

The New York Times

They were about to burn.

The Guardian - Sport

You were about to explain.

The Guardian - Sport

And both were about to turn 30.

The New York Times - Style

Germany were about to be jolted.

The Guardian - Sport

The developers were about to move in.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were about to" to clearly indicate that an action was on the immediate horizon in the past. It's effective in narrative to build suspense or show the proximity of an event.

Common error

Avoid using "were about to" in contexts that require a different tense, such as the present or future. Ensure the timeline of your sentence aligns with the past implication of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were about to" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an action that was on the immediate horizon in the past. Ludwig confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were about to" is a versatile verbal phrase used to describe actions that were on the cusp of happening in the past. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used, especially in journalistic writing and narrative contexts. It is a neutral phrase suitable for expressing an action was on the immediate horizon, helping create a feeling of suspense. While highly effective, it's vital to ensure that sentences align with the intended timeline, avoiding misapplication in present or future contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were on the verge of

Emphasizes being at the brink of an action, similar to "were about to" but with a slightly stronger sense of anticipation.

were on the point of

Indicates an action was just about to commence, synonymous with "were about to".

were just going to

A more informal way of saying something was about to happen.

were ready to

Focuses on the preparedness for an action, implying the action was imminent.

stood on the threshold of

More metaphorical, indicating the beginning of a new phase or event.

were close to

Highlights the nearness of an event, though not necessarily immediate.

were nearing

Suggests an approach to an event, without the immediacy of "were about to".

anticipated

Focuses on expectation rather than immediate action.

expected to

Expresses anticipation or likelihood but lacks the immediacy.

prepared themselves to

Highlights the preparations made before an event occurred.

FAQs

How can I use "were about to" in a sentence?

Use "were about to" to indicate that an action was on the verge of happening in the past. For example: "They "were about to leave" when the phone rang."

What are some alternatives to "were about to"?

You can use phrases like "were on the verge of", "were on the point of", or "were just going to" depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it correct to say "was about to" instead of "were about to"?

"Was about to" is used with singular subjects, while "were about to" is used with plural subjects. For example, "He was about to speak" (singular) versus "They "were about to speak"" (plural).

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

"Were about to" implies greater immediacy than "were going to". "Were about to" suggests the action was on the immediate horizon, whereas "were going to" simply indicates an intention or plan in the past.