The use of the construction be about to in English. Turnover to be about to – this is about to happen! Phrasal verbs used with to be

after all- after all
I knew it! After all, I was right!

all along - all the time all the time, always
I knew about his little secret all along.

all ears- all attention
I am all ears.

all of a sudden- suddenly
All of a sudden, he refused to pay.

all the same- it doesn’t matter, it doesn’t matter
If it’s all the same to you, let’s start at two.

all thumbs- clumsy, inept
He can’t fix anything, he’s all thumbs.

apple of discord- apple of discord
This question is an apple of discord in our family.

as a rule-usually
As a rule, we offer a 5% discount.

as far as I am concerned- as for me, in my opinion
As far as I am concerned, both the book and the movie are good.

as for me/as to me-in my opinion
As for me, you can rely on his support.

as well-also, also
He knows math, and physics as well.

at all-Absolutely not)
He doesn't know French at all. I don't like it at all.

at random- at random, without a plan
He chose those places at random.

at this point- at this stage
At this point, we can’t turn back

be about to-ready to do
I was about to leave when you called

be after someone - insist that he do it
His mother is always after him to study.

be all in- very tired
I’m all in, I’d better go to bed now.

be back on one's feet- get back on your feet after a difficult time
He’s back on his feet after a long period of debt and unemployment.

beat around the bush- to beat around the bush
Stop beating around the bush! Get to the point!

be beside yourself-be beside yourself with excitement, grief, etc.
She was beside herself with worry / with grief.

be better off- in a better situation (financially)
He'll be better off with a new job.

be broke- be “broke” (without money)
I spent all my money, I’m broke.

be hard on something/someone- not to take care of something
My son is hard on shoes, they don’t last long with him. Life was pretty hard on Tom.

be high on one's list- be at the top of the list of necessary things
A new car is high on my list of priorities. A new TV is not high on my list.

be in charge of-be responsible for
He is in charge of marketing.

be in the red-be unprofitable
Our sales were in the red last year.

be into smth. -To be interested in something
He is into computers. She is into sports.

bend over backwards- try very hard
I bent over backwards to help her.

be on one's way I'm on my way.
I'm on my way.

be on the safe side-just in case
Take an extra key, just to be on the safe side.

be out of-not available
We are out of bread, cheese, and sugar.

be out of shape- be out of shape
He needs to exercise, he is out of shape.

be out of sorts-not in a good mood
Leave him alone, he’s out of sorts today

be pressed for time/money-not enough time or money
I'm pressed for time now. We are pressed for money at the moment.

beside the point- not to the point, not relevant
What I said to him privately is beside the point.

be to blame-blame for a mistake, wrong actions
Who is to blame for this awful mistake? Tom is to blame for this mix-up.

be touch and go- on the verge; it's unclear which way to turn
He was very sick, and for some time it was touch and go, but he is better now.

be up against- have serious problems with something
Our company is up against serious attempts of hostile takeover.

be up and around/about- get back on your feet, get better
He was sick for a month, but now he is up and around.

be up to one's ears- head over heels
I'm up to my ears in work.

be up to something- to conceive, to conceive
I have to check what the kids are up to.

be up to someone- at your discretion, under your responsibility
It's up to you to decide. It’s up to you to close the office every day at 8 o’clock.

be used to- be accustomed to
I'm used to hard work. He's used to heat.

big shot- important person
He is a big shot around here.

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√ be about
√ be about
√ be down
√ be for be down
√ be off be on
√ be out
√ be with (sb)

be about

nearby, to be nearby, to be nearby

Tim and Tom are somewhere about.

be about (to do sth) going to do sth. To be on the point of doing sth

They were just about to call when Mirra telephoned,

be after

1) (sb) try to catch someone, pursue, to chase: The dog was after cat. ;

2) (sth) to strive to take possession of something, to encroach on something, to want, to try to gain

They're after jobs at his place.

Let’s assume that those gangs are really after jewelry and perpetrator

be against

to be opposed to (often used with gerund)

I was against going out till the mother arrive.

be away,

to be absent, to be away from home/ I his place as much as a night

they'll have to come again. The doctor has been away on business.

be back return to (have) retum(ed)

They have to leave now, but they’ll be back soon.

be down

1. to be downstairs (no longer upstairs)

He is not down yet. (He has not finished dressing, etc.)

Is he up yet? - Yes, he is up (out of bed) and down (from the dressing room).

2. be not in the capital, in the province, on the periphery Have you been down to see Robin Hill?

3. to go down, to go down, to be lowered (of blinds, curtains).

The blinds are down.

4. to set (about the sun) to set (of sun)

The sun was nearly down.

5. decrease in volume, quantity, decrease (about prices) to decrease in amount

The yield of cotton is down compared with last year.

6. weaken, subside, calm down to decrease in intensity (of wind, temperature, etc.)

The wind is down.

The sea is down (is not rough).

2. be down (with) to have or catch an illness The Roans was down with angina.

be for to be for or stand to be in favor of (It is often used with gerund)

The Roams were for doing nothing untill the police arrived.

be in

Indoors, at work, to be at home, to be in this building/at home

Is Mr Baxter in?

be in for

to be waiting for smth. (especially unpleasant) to expect sth (usually. bad)

People were in for a storm. Thunderstorms cannot be avoided.

Victor and Nick are in for a rude awakening. Victor and Nick will be bitterly disappointed.

be off

1) to leave, to leave I must be off.

The train is off.

2) to be free from work I am off for the afternoon today.

3) to be cancelled, finished

The meeting is off.

4) to be turned off (electricity, water, etc.) to be no longer on

The electricity was off yesterday,

be on

1) turned on, to be lit, to burn (about light, gas, etc.) to be switched on

All the lights in the rooms were on.

2) demonstrated (about a film, about a performance); go to be shown (of plays, films)

There is a good show on at our club.

3) to happen, to take place to be happening, to take place What’s going on (What’s on?, what’s happening?)

The exhibition will be on next week,

be out

1) not be at work; Houses; not to be at one’s home, office

They are out currently.

They were out at the pictures.

2) to be switched off, to go out (about light, gas, etc.)

The fire is out.

3) become famous; to reveal, to become known, to be revealed

It's useless trying to keep it back. The news will be out anyway.

4) go out of print to be published My book is out at last.

(of) not to have, to lack, to be lacking of something; short of something

The money is out.

I'm out of cigarettes.

be over

end, end to come to an and The rain was over then; They could go.

be through (with)

to finish something, to finish something. or smb. to have finished (a relationship, job, etc.)

The Browns are through with their work.

We are through with that perpetrator.

be up

1. to be on your feet, to be awake, to wake up; stand up; to be out of bed

We are always up at eight o'clock.

2. stay up late, stay awake not to go to bed (usu. late); stay up

They've been up with her all night.

3. rise, be raised to be lifted, to have risen The blinds are up.

4. be in the center, in the capital, in the city (as opposed to the countryside)

My dear Nick - She has to be up in town tomorrow.

5. rise, achieve a high position to rise The shares are up today.

He is up in the world now.

6. expire (of time, holiday, agreement)

Time is up.

Their leaves are up.

happen, happen to be going on (usu. interrog.) What’s up? What happened?, What's the matter?

Something is up. Something happened. Something's happening

be up to

1. to start something, to plan something. to do (usu. sth wrong)

What are the children up to?

I’m going to tell his parents what he’s been up to.

2. to be on the level, to be equal to Victor was not up to her mother as a scholar.

We're quite up to the post, Mr Brown.

3. depend on someone, be entrusted to someone. (about responsibility), to depend on; to be one's duty or responsibility

It’s up to my sons to take action on making a design.

They have helped us as much as they can. Now it's up to her. (She must continue by her own efforts.)

4. be able to sth. to do to be physically capable of doing sth

I"m sorry, but I’m so tired that I am really not up to going to the theater with you tonight.

be with (sb)

1) support smb. to support sb I’ll be with you in all your misfortunes.

2) understand; follow what they say to be able to understand what sb is talking about

Are they with her?

She is afraid Her brother is not quite with you.

be with (somebody, something) to work somewhere, for someone. (for hire)

They are with a shipping company.

She’s been with a touring company for three years.

Exercises: 1 , 2 , 3

1. Fill in the correct adverb(s). Translate the sentences.

1. The decision’s not......our"s, it's......her manager.

2. He wants to see Mr Grimm. Is he...? - No, I’m afraid he’s ... currently. (or No, I’m afraid he’s ... for the holiday.) - When will she be ...? - She'll be... in half

an hour/next week.

3. Don’t wait for him to answer the doorbell at nine o’clock on Saturday morning. He won't be...

4. As soon as the examiners are... they are going away at the weekends.

5. Will he marry her? - It’s......him. We can’t very well decide for him.

6. He wanted to do all his work himself but we don’t think he is......it.

7. He is......a shock.

8. What have you been......? Where have you been? What will Mama think?

9. We "re ... saying nothing and keeping quiet.

10. The light is....

11. The water is...

12. I’ve been ... this firm for five years.

13. It was......Roger to make sure all the windows and doors were locked.

14.I’d better be .... I’m afraid I might be late.

15. We hired a boat for an hour and when the time was..., we returned it

16. We’re all... you one hundred per cent.

17. I can never make him out. I wonder what he is......

18.She has just seen us. They must be somewhere....

19. The foresters are ... now; they"re making their rounds.

20.We knew them well enough to guess by the look on their face that they were...... something.

23. They saw their Mother looking angrily out of the broken window, and they knew they were ... ... it.

24. He looks guilty. What do you think he’s been......? 25. He’s ... in the guests’ room.

26. I’ve done what I could. It’s ......you to make a choice now.

27. The freezer was...; all the food would spoil.

28. We are......cold winter.

29. The kids are very quiet. Are they...... something?

30. When will you be...? I want to know in case somebody rings up.

31. They"ve been ... their job once or three times he knows, but he doesn’t think it was from sickness.

32. Sarah’s ... in India somewhere.

33. The wedding is ....

34. What's... TV?

35. He was without electricity for five hours but it was ... again now.

36. There was a war... at the time.

37. I’m nearly ... with the book.

38. The prices are ... now.

39. Time's... . Stop writing and hand in your papers.

40. I could tell something was ... by the looks on their faces.

41 That’s the very number we’re ....

42. He was ... on business.

43. I’m all... seeing as much as possible.

44. Tom was ... at once.

45. The radio was ... the whole day.

46. ​​The light was ... in the basement.

47. This lamp has been ... since eleven.

48. The strike's ....

49. All is... between us.

50. They are ... with the job.

51. His contract’s ... at the end of the season.

52. I was just ... to ask you the same thing.

54. Joe had seen her that afternoon after the news was ... .

55. The birthrate is very much....

56. The temperature is....

57.I had just been... with fever.

58. I’ll be... in half an hour. Wait form.

59. We're... of milk.

60. Will you get me some matches? My pipe's....

61. We’re going ... to New York for the day.

2. Translate into English.

1. When he called, they told him that I was not there, I went out.

2. The concert ended before nine o'clock.

3. The train has left.

4. The strike continues.

5. They were aiming for her place.

6. She is after his money.

7. Who is in favor of going home by train?

8. I am against inviting him to his birthday.

9. The boys are up to something.

10. The first half of Sunday they were busy.

11. He said that the trip would not take place.

12. The lights are off.

13. The water is turned off.

14. They turned off all the lights (there was full illumination, all the lamps were on).

15. Then that new feature film was shown on TV two days ago.

16. What was on at the cinema (theater) yesterday?

17. The police were chasing him.

18. He can't do his job.

19. He must be somewhere nearby. Look for it in the garden.

20. Hand in your work. Time is up.

21. “You never know what this child will do in a minute,” said the grandmother angrily.

22. It is the duty of parents to raise their children properly.

23. I was not at home. I went to the cinema.

24. On the day I called him, he was not working.

25. No wonder she feels tired. She has been on her feet since six o'clock in the morning.

26. Wait for me at the elevator. I'll be there in ten minutes.

27. “I see what you’re up to,” said Tom. “In any case, I will support you.”

28. I wonder why he refused to explain his behavior; now he will be reprimanded.

29. I am in favor of starting renovations in April.

30. The fire went out.

31. The game is on.

32. The car was working.

33. Are you following her train of thought or should she repeat it again?

34. I work for an insurance company.

35. I am not able to clean the apartment today.

36. What's happening to him? He's furious.

37. Shall we have lunch in a restaurant or at home? - You decide for yourself.

38. I finished the article. 39. To marry or not is their business.

40. They will go with her to the end.

41. You won’t be able to see him this week. He's away.

42. The car is not in order. Look what's wrong.

43. This year the cost of bus travel will increase again.

44. The concert is over.

45. The secret is revealed.

46. ​​Recently, prices for watches have been significantly reduced.

47. Will you give me some matches? - Sorry, I don't have any matches today.

48. He really wants to get this position.

49. The sun has set (set).

50. The curtains are down.

51. Bread has fallen in price.

Once again, our educational material is devoted to English verbs, which, it seems, we can talk about endlessly. And today our goal is to study the most common phrasal verbs of the English language. To do this, first consider what they are and find out how and where they should be used. After which we will begin to study the list of the most common expressions, i.e. Let's get acquainted with the top 100 phrasal verbs of the English language and the Russian translation of each expression.

What are phrasal verbs?

Everyone is accustomed to the fact that a verb is an independent part of speech with a specific meaning. However, in the English language there are verbs that form stable connections with adverbs and prepositions, as a result of which both the meaning of these words and the context of the entire sentence radically change.

Please note that the meaning of a phrase is not a generalization of the individual meanings of the verb itself and the preposition/adverb, but a completely independent concept. Who, when and why decided that such a link is responsible for describing these actions is a mystery. Therefore, English phrasal verbs, with their uniqueness and illogicality, remain an eternal byword for all language learners.

Before moving on to the list of the most common verb phrases, it is necessary to mention one important grammatical point. The fact is that phrasal verbs in English are divided into transitive (requiring an addition after them) and intransitive. Accordingly, the question arises - how to use an object with a preposition: before it or after it. Unfortunately, there is no single rule for all cases, so we can only outline general recommendations and observations:

1. The object expressed by a pronoun always separates the verb.
2. A noun in the role of an object can destroy the connection between words, but it does not always do this.
3. If a sentence has two objects, the smaller one breaks the phrasal verb.
4. The same combination of words can have different meanings, depending on which the connection is broken or not broken.

Having taken this information into account, we set off to study the most popular and used phrasal verbs in the English language.

The most common phrasal verbs in English

Stable verb combinations are very common in the colloquial speech of the British and Americans, it’s not for nothing that there are about several thousand of them! It is, of course, impossible to learn everything, so we will limit ourselves to the 100 most commonly used phrasal verbs. For ease of study, we will divide the material into two tables.

So, we've met the first half of the list. And if we take into account the examples given at the beginning of the material, then in total we studied 55 phrasal verbs of the English language. There are less than half of the phrases left before reaching the first hundred!

Have you ever had such moments when you were close to doing something, but did it differently? In English there is a construction called be about to, with which you can talk about actions that almost happened or are about to happen.

Today you will learn when to use the be about to construction and how to do it correctly.

Using the be about to construction in English

We can translate the construction be about to as “just about, a little, close, going to.”

Remembering the construction be going to (getting ready to do something), we can say that they are similar, because both of them talk about the intention to do something.

However, be going to is used when we are planning some action in the future. For example: We are going to go to the cinema. And be about to is used when talking about unplanned, spontaneous actions. For example: I'm close to getting up and leaving this boring movie.

Let's look at situations in which we use be about to:

1. When we are close to some action and are about to perform it.
For example: This child is about to cry.

She is about to leave.
She's about to leave.

The train is about to arrive.
The train is about to arrive.

2. When you almost did something, but did it differently.
For example: I almost laughed

He was about to say truth.
He was close to telling the truth.

I was about to go out when the phone rank.
I was about to leave when the phone rang.

Since we are talking about unplanned actions, this construction can only be used in the present and past tenses.

Affirmative sentences with the construction be about to in English

This construction consists of two parts: changeable (to be) and immutable (about to).

First part(verb to be) changes depending on who is doing the action.
Second part(about to) always remains the same.

Let's look at how this construction is used in the present and past tenses.

Affirmative sentences with the construction be about to in the present tense

Using the present tense construction, we say that we are close to doing something right now.

Depending on the person, our verb be changes to am, are, is. The sentence formation scheme will be as follows:

Actor + am/are/is + about to + action

The concert is about to start.
The concert is about to start.

They are about to divorce
They are close to divorce.

Affirmative sentences with the construction be about to in the past tense

Using our construction in the past tense, we say that we almost performed some action in the past. Our verb be changes to was/were depending on the person. The education scheme will be as follows:

Actor + was/were + about to + action

I was about to go to bed.
I was getting ready to go to bed.

He wasaboutto apologize.
He was close to apologizing.

Negative sentences with the construction be about to in English

This construction can also be used in negation, when we say that we did not intend to do something. Let's look at how such sentences are formed in the present and past tenses.

Negative sentences with the construction be about to in the present tense

When we say that we did not intend to do something, we add the particle not to our be. The education scheme will be as follows:

Actor + am/are/is + not + about to + action

She is not about to call him.
She's not close to calling him.

They are not about to cry.
They're not going to cry.

Negative sentences with the construction be about to in the past tense

To form a negation in the past tense, we put not after the be in the past tense. The sentence formation scheme will be as follows:

Actor + was/were + not + about to + action

He was not about to buy this.
He wasn't going to buy it.

We werenotaboutto admit our mistake.
We weren't close to admitting our mistake.

Interrogative sentences with the construction be about to in English

To ask a question, we need to put our be first. Let's look at how this will happen in the present and past tenses.

Interrogative sentences with the construction be about to in the present tense

When we ask a person if he is going to do something now, we put am/are/is first. The education scheme will be as follows:

Am/are/is + actor + about to + action?

Is Tom about to sing?
Is Tom going to sing?

Are you aboutto buy this dress for me?
Are you going to buy this dress for me?

Interrogative sentences with the construction be about to in the past tense

To ask a person about past actions, we need to put was/were first. The sentence formation scheme will be as follows:

Was/were + actor + about to + action?

Was she about to go home?
Was she close to going home?

Were they aboutto quarrel?
Were they close to fighting?

So, the be about to construction is used when you were close to taking some action, but acted differently, or when you are about to do something at the moment.

Consolidation exercise

Translate the following sentences into English:

1. She was close to going to bed.
2. They are about to tell the truth.
3. Was he close to yelling at you?
4. I wasn't going to laugh.
5. Are they about to leave the house?
6. We are about to place an order.
7. He was close to making peace with her.
8. The baby is about to cry.

Leave your answers in the comments below the article.