ENGLISH
REFERENCE

be about to do sth

fixed phr..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

fixed phr.. you use this when you are going to do something very soon, usually in the next few seconds or minutes.

fixed phr.. a semi-auxiliary construction used to indicate the immediate future or an action on the verge of occurring.


SIMPLE

Shh, the movie is about to start.

CONTEXTUAL

I was just about to call you when your message popped up on my screen.

COMPLEX

The scientists were about to publish their findings when they discovered a significant error in the data set.

Usage

followed by the base form of a verb (infinitive without 'to' is incorrect).

Teaching tip

contrast with 'going to' (general future) to show the sense of immediacy; often used with 'just' for extra emphasis on the timing.

Pitfall

I am about to going home.I am about to go home.the phrase must be followed by the infinitive (to + verb), not the -ing form.

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