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You are here: Home / English lessons / Meaning of “be about to do something”

Meaning of “be about to do something”

1st February 2019 by Andrew

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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Reader Interactions

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

  2. Syllablecounter says

    6th October 2023 at 2:25 pm

    I’m about to do something!

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