The Complete Guide to “Is About to Be” Modal Verbs: Usage, Rules & Examples

Introduction to “Is About to Be”

The semi-modal construction “is about to be” is a crucial English expression used to indicate imminent actions or states that will occur in the very near future. This phrase suggests that something is on the verge of happening, typically within moments or a short timeframe. This comprehensive guide covers its meaning, grammatical rules, usage with Hindi translations, and practice exercises.


Table of Contents

  1. Core Meanings & Uses of “Is About to Be”
  2. Grammatical Structures & Sentence Patterns
  3. 10 Practical Examples with Hindi Translations
  4. “Is About to Be” vs Similar Future Constructions
  5. Common Errors & How to Avoid Them
  6. Practice Exercises (Test Yourself)
  7. Conclusion & Key Takeaways

1. Core Meanings & Uses of “Is About to Be”

“Is about to be” expresses:

  • Immediate Future Events (निकट भविष्य की घटनाएँ)
    Example: The show is about to be canceled. (शो को रद्द किया जाने वाला है।)
  • On-the-Verge Situations (घटित होने की कगार पर)
    Example: The decision is about to be announced. (निर्णय घोषित किया जाने वाला है।)
  • Impending States (आसन्न अवस्थाएँ)
    Example: The system is about to be upgraded. (सिस्टम को अपग्रेड किया जाने वाला है।)

2. Grammatical Structures

Sentence Formation Rules

Sentence TypeStructureExampleHindi Translation
AffirmativeSubject + is/am/are + about to be + past participleThe results are about to be declared.परिणाम घोषित किए जाने वाले हैं।
NegativeSubject + is/am/are + not + about to be + past participleThe flight isn’t about to be delayed.फ्लाइट को देरी से नहीं आना है।
InterrogativeIs/Are/Am + subject + about to be + past participle?Is the package about to be delivered?क्या पैकेज डिलीवर किया जाने वाला है?

3. 10 Practical Examples with Hindi Translations

S.NoEnglish ExampleHindi Translation
1The meeting is about to be postponed.बैठक को स्थगित किया जाने वाला है।
2The new policy is about to be implemented.नई नीति को लागू किया जाने वाला है।
3Is the website about to be launched?क्या वेबसाइट को लॉन्च किया जाने वाला है?
4The patient isn’t about to be discharged.मरीज को छुट्टी नहीं दी जाने वाली है।
5The prices are about to be increased.कीमतों को बढ़ाया जाने वाला है।
6The contract is about to be signed.अनुबंध पर हस्ताक्षर किए जाने वाले हैं।
7Are the tickets about to be sold out?क्या टिकटों को बिक कर खत्म होना है?
8The building isn’t about to be demolished.भवन को गिराया नहीं जाने वाला है।
9The law is about to be changed.कानून को बदला जाने वाला है।
10Is the project about to be completed?क्या परियोजना को पूरा किया जाने वाला है?

4. Key Differences: “Is About to Be” vs Similar Future Forms

ConstructionTimeframeUsage ContextExample
Is about to beImmediate (minutes/hours)Actions on the verge of happeningThe train is about to depart.
Is going to beNear future (days/weeks)Planned future eventsThe train is going to depart at 5.
Will beGeneral futureFuture facts/predictionsThe train will depart someday.

5. Common Errors & How to Avoid Them

❌ Incorrect: She is about be promoted.
✅ Correct: She is about to be promoted.

❌ Incorrect: Is about the decision to be announced?
✅ Correct: Is the decision about to be announced?

❌ Incorrect: They are about being transferred.
✅ Correct: They are about to be transferred.


6. Practice Exercises

Section 1: Fill in the Blanks

  1. The announcement __________ made public.
  2. __________ the system __________ updated?
  3. The products __________ recalled.
  4. The movie __________ released next week.
  5. __________ the rules __________ modified?

Section 2: Hindi to English Translation

  1. फैसला किसी भी क्षण घोषित किया जाने वाला है।
  2. क्या नए नियमों को लागू किया जाने वाला है?
  3. बिल को पारित नहीं किया जाने वाला है।
  4. परिणाम आज घोषित किए जाने वाले हैं।
  5. कंपनी का नाम बदला जाने वाला है।

Section 3: Error Correction

  1. She is about be interviewed.
  2. Is about the policy to be changed?
  3. They are about being relocated.
  4. This isn’t about be easy.
  5. Are we about to being notified?

7. Conclusion

“Is about to be” is essential for discussing imminent future events in English. Remember:

  • Always use “to be” after “about”
  • Indicates actions/states moments away from happening
  • More immediate than “is going to be”

For discussing impending developments or last-minute warnings, this construction is invaluable!

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