An action may be moments away now or may have been imminent at a past moment.

The idea

Use be about to with a base verb for an imminent action. Change be for the reference time; just adds emphasis.

Examples

  • The show is about to begin.
  • We are about to plant the seeds.
  • The ice is about to melt.
  • The chef was about to serve dinner when the lights went out.
  • The doors are just about to close.
  • I was about to reply, but the message disappeared.

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Watch out

A past form does not prove the action happened: an interruption may prevent it. Avoid adding an exact future interval.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct option: The train ___ leave. (is about to / is about)

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    is about to

    is about to fits the singular train and the imminent departure.

  2. Choose the correct option: They ___ open the shop when the alarm rang. (were about to / are about to)

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    were about to

    were about to places the intended opening just before the past alarm.

  3. Choose the correct option: The bird is about to ___. (fly / flying)

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    fly

    fly is the base form after the expression.

Use it today

Describe something imminent now and something interrupted in the past.