About to do Meaning in English

expression

US

əˈbaʊt/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ/ /ˈdu

uh-BOWT tuh DOO

UK

ɐbˈaʊt/ /tˈuː/ /dʉː

uh-BOWT tuh DOO

Definition

Used to say that someone is going to do something very soon, at the next moment.

Usage & Nuances

Common in all registers to signal immediate future actions. Usually before verbs: 'about to leave,' 'about to start.' Not used with past actions. Forms: am/is/are about to + verb. Often for warnings, surprises, or upcoming changes.

• Spanish: a punto de (hacer)
• Portuguese (BR): prestes a (fazer) - quase (fazer)
• Portuguese (PT): prestes a (fazer) - quase (fazer)
• Chinese (Simplified): 正要（做）
• Chinese (Traditional): 正要（做）
• Hindi: (करने) वाला है / (करने) वाली है
• Arabic: على وشك (أن يفعل)
• Bengali: করতে যাচ্ছি - করতে চলেছি
• Russian: собираюсь - вот-вот
• Japanese: 今にも〜しようとしている - もうすぐ〜する
• Vietnamese: sắp - chuẩn bị
• Korean: 막 ~하려고 하다 - 곧 ~할 것이다
• Turkish: üzere olmak - çok yakında yapacak
• Urdu: کرنے والا ہوں/ہے
• Indonesian: sắp - chuẩn bị

Example Sentences

I am about to eat lunch.

basic

She is about to leave the house.

basic

They are about to start the meeting.

basic

Be careful! The train is about to leave.

natural

I'm about to call you when you texted me.

natural

The sky is so dark, it's about to rain any second.

natural