How to Use “Be About To” (do something) in English Speaking & Writing
“Be about to” is a powerful phrase that instantly makes your English sound more fluent and natural. It expresses that something is going to happen very soon — often in the next moment. Its negative form, “be not about to”, shows strong unwillingness or determination not to do something.
Mastering these two structures will add precision and native-like quality to your advanced English writing and speaking.
BE ABOUT TO (DO SOMETHING)
Structure: [SUB + BE VERB (am, is, are, was, were…) + about to + VERB (v1) + OBJ]
The phrase “be about to” means to be on the point of doing something, to intend to do it immediately, or to be ready to do it in the next moment. It’s used when an action is imminent.
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 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)
Structure: [SUB + BE VERB + not about to + VERB (v1) + OBJ]
The negative form “be not about to” expresses that someone is unwilling to do something or is determined not to do it right now. It’s much stronger than simply saying “I will not”.
1) Jane has never done any cooking and she is not about to start now. (= She is not willing to start.)
2) We’re not about to leave the place. (= We are determined not to leave 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. (= He is unwilling to join.)
More Useful Sentences
1) The old man is about to die. (He will die very soon.)
2) Tom is about to buy a new brand mobile phone. (He will buy it very soon.)
3) John is about to marry Jane. (He will marry her very soon.)
4) We’re about to leave the place. (We will leave very soon.)
5) What are you about to do? (What will you do very soon?)
6) Our soldiers are not about to leave the battleground. (They are determined not to leave.)
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 job.)
8) John is not about to stop learning English. (He is determined not to stop.)
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.
💡 Points to Remember
- English is a language just like your mother tongue — listen, speak, read, write, and practice. Consistency beats intensity every time.
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