be about to / be to
be about to / be to means “be about to / be to: something imminent, or a formal arrangement”. be about to + base verb says that something will happen in the next moment: We are about to start. Formation: be + about to + base verb · be + to + base verb
be about to / be to: something imminent, or a formal arrangement
B2Formation
be + about to + base verb · be + to + base verb
Explanation
be about to + base verb says that something will happen in the next moment: We are about to start. It is the nearest of all future forms. be to + base verb is formal and states an official plan, arrangement or instruction, and is common in news reports: The President is to visit Japan. In rules it can mean 'must': Visitors are to sign in at the desk.
Examples
Note
be about to = imminent, the very near future. be to = a formal plan or instruction, often in headlines. Was/were about to = was on the point of: I was about to call you when you rang.
FAQ
be about to / be to — what does it mean and how is it used?
be about to / be to: something imminent, or a formal arrangement. be about to + base verb says that something will happen in the next moment: We are about to start. It is the nearest of all future forms. be to + base verb is formal and states an official plan, arrangement or instruction, and is common in news reports: The President is to visit Japan. In rules it can mean 'must': Visitors are to sign in at the desk.
be about to / be to — how do you form it?
be + about to + base verb · be + to + base verb
be about to / be to — any usage notes?
be about to = imminent, the very near future. be to = a formal plan or instruction, often in headlines. Was/were about to = was on the point of: I was about to call you when you rang.