Intermediate 📐 Grammar · #149 of 305

Be About To and Be Due To

Near-future and scheduled events.

Examples

  • The film is about to start.

Key rules

  • Be about to + verb: very soon
  • Be due to + verb: scheduled to happen
  • Be due + noun: expected: The train is due at 5
  • Not usually used with a time word like tomorrow for about to

Common mistakes

  • I am about to going → I am about to go
  • The flight is due to arriving → The flight is due to arrive
💡 Tip: About to means in a moment.
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Related Intermediate topics

See all Intermediate grammar lessons →

Present Perfect Continuous

have been + -ing stresses duration up to now.

Past Perfect

had + past participle for an earlier past action.

Past Perfect Continuous

had been + -ing for duration before a past moment.

Future Continuous

will be + -ing for actions in progress at a future time.

Future Perfect

will have + past participle for completion before a future time.

Future Perfect Continuous

will have been + -ing for duration up to a future point.