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Be about to, be due to, be on the verge of
C1 C1 grammar · lesson 13 of 16
Beyond will and going to, English has several phrases for events in the very near future or on a timetable. They make your descriptions of the future more precise.
Overview
These expressions all use be + a phrase, so be changes for person and tense (I’m about to, she was due to). They describe the future from the point of view of the present or of a moment in the past.
| Form | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| be about to + base verb | very soon, any moment now | The film is about to start. |
| be on the point of + -ing | very soon (often just before something stops it) | I was on the point of leaving when you called. |
| be on the verge of + -ing / noun | very close to an important change | Scientists are on the verge of a breakthrough. |
| be due to + base verb | planned or scheduled for a time | The plane is due to land at six. |
| be due (+ time) | expected | The baby is due in May. |
| be set to + base verb | likely, ready to happen (news style) | Prices are set to rise again. |
| be to + base verb | official plan or instruction | The president is to visit Japan. |
Examples
Hurry up! The train is about to leave.
Anna was about to say something, but she stopped.
Omar was on the point of giving up when he finally found a job.
The old theatre is on the verge of closing.
The new library is due to open next spring.
Our rent is due on the first of the month.
The team is set to win its third title.
All students are to report to the main hall at nine.
In the past: plans that did not happen
In the past tense, these forms often describe something that was going to happen but was interrupted or did not happen. This is similar to the B2 lesson on future in the past (I was going to…).
The concert was due to start at eight, but it was cancelled.
Leo was to have married in June, but the wedding was postponed.
Common mistakes
✗ I’m about leaving.
✓ I’m about to leave.
✗ The company is on the verge to close.
✓ The company is on the verge of closing.
✗ The bus is about to arrive at 5:15.
✓ The bus is due to arrive at 5:15.
✗ The meeting due to start at ten.
✓ The meeting is due to start at ten.