How To Use The Phrase BE ABOUT TO (do something) In English Speaking & Writing?

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Be About To (do something) vs Be Not About To (do something)

Do you know how to use the phrase 'Be about to do something' or 'Be not about to do something' in English writing and speaking?

Now let's know how to use this fantastic phrase in Advanced English writing and speaking.

BE ABOUT TO (DO SOMETHING)

[SUB + BE VERB (AM, IS, ARE, etc.) + ABOUT TO + VERB (v1) + OBJ]

The phrase 'Be about to (do something)' means 'To be close to doing something or To be going to happen or do something very soon or Intend to do something, or be close to doing something, very soon.

If you are 'about to do something', you are going to do it very soon. If something is 'about to happen', it will happen very soon. [To be ready to do something or to be going to do something in the next moment.]

Example Sentences

1) The movie is about to begin. Hurry up, John. We're already late.

2) John is about to start his new company. And I'm about to join his company as an MD.

3) We are about to borrow some money from the bank to start our new business.

4) I was just about to put the roast in the oven when the doorbell rang - that's why dinner still needs to be prepared.

BE NOT ABOUT TO (DO SOMETHING)

[SUB + BE VERB (AM, IS, ARE, etc.) + NOT + ABOUT TO + VERB (v1) + OBJ]

On the other hand, the phrase 'Be not about to (do something)' means 'To not be willing to do something or To not intend to do something'

If you are 'not about to do something', you are not going to do it or are unwilling to do it. [You are determined not to do it right now.]

Example Sentences

1) Jane has never done any cooking and she is not about to start now. [Jane has never done any cooking and she is not willing to start now.]

2) We're not about to leave the place. [We are determined not to leave the place right now.]

3) John is not about to join this company because he has got a prestigious job offer from another reputed company in the USA. [John is not willing to join this company because he has got a prestigious job offer from another reputed company in the USA..]

Now Let's Have A Look At The Sentences Below

1) The old man is about to die. [The old man will die very soon.]

2) Tom is about to buy a new brand mobile phone. [Tom will buy a new brand mobile phone very soon.]

3) John is about to marry Jane. [John will marry Jane very soon.]

4) We're about to leave the place. [We will leave the place very soon.]

5) What are you about to do? [What will you do very soon? or What are you going to do very soon?]

6) Our soldiers are not about to leave the battleground. [Our soldiers are not willing to leave or are determined not to leave the battleground.]

7) I'm not about to find a new job. Instead, I prefer to start my own business. [I'm not willing to find a new job. Instead, I prefer to start my own business.]

8) John is not about to stop learning English. [John is not willing to or is determined not to stop learning English.]

9) I'm about to go to work. | I think he's about to leave.

10) The film was about to start. | I was about to leave when Mark arrived.

11) She looked as if she was about to cry. | I am about to have my dinner.

12) I was just about to ask you the same thing. | The ceremony is about to begin.

13) We arrived just as the ceremony was about to begin. He said that something was about to happen.

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