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Home > Articles > English lessons > Meaning of “be about to do something”

Meaning of “be about to do something”

1st February 2019 by Andrew 1 Comment

Form:
be about + infinitive

The infinitive = “to” + the base form of a verb.

Meaning:
To describe something that we expect to happen very soon.
It refers to the immediate future.

Examples:


yellow bus

The bus is about to leave.
(The bus is going to leave very soon.)

Manager: The meeting is about to start. Where is everyone?

sales report
by panuruangjan | FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Jane: Could you help me with the sales report?
Sarah: I’m about to leave. Can we do this tomorrow?

woman wearing headset
by imagerymajestic | FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Customer: What is the price of the laser printer?
Supplier: I am about to send you an email with all of our prices.

be just about

Form:
be just about + infinitive

Meaning:
The word “just” emphasises that the future action is very very soon. Probably in the next few seconds.

Example:

man yawning
by sakhorn38 | FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Jane: Let’s watch this TV show.
Mark: No sorry, I’m just about to go to bed.

past form of “be” + “about”

Form:
past form of be + about + infinitive

Meaning:
Something that was going to happen but did not happen.

Examples:

friends having a drink
Clare: I was about to eat when you invited me for a drink.

Jane: Hi Sarah!
Sarah: Hi Jane! I was just about to call you.

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Comments

  1. Mary Coultas Gomez says

    1st February 2019 at 10:46 pm

    Hello Mr. Andrew.

    I’m really exacted to have found you in You Tube. I’m a woman 66 years old, so I think never is late to learn a new language. I have been watching some of your English classes. These are very clear and interesting.

    Thank you so much for your help to many people around the world

    Reply

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