eslHQ Home
User Name Password
Lost Password? | Join eslHQ.com, it's FREE!
View today's posts
Search Extras Help   

Reply
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Unread May 3rd, 2009, 08:16 am
eslHQ Enthusiast
 
Join Date: Mar 12th, 2009
Location: Iran
Posts: 33
majid72 is on a distinguished road
Default on the verge of vs to be about to

Hello

Would you please tell me some sentences in which one of the following expressions is preferred over the other.
(On the verge of...to be about to).
Take the two following sentences:

-I am on the verge of eating my lunch.
-I'm about to have my lunch.
I think the second is preferred among natives, isn't it.

Thanks a lot.
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Unread May 3rd, 2009, 08:24 am
eslHQ Zealot
 
Join Date: Apr 5th, 2009
Posts: 96
STCrowley is on a distinguished road
Default Re: on the verge of vs to be about to

I like the second, because it is how I'd (American) talk. I say 'I'm about to' when I'm talking about the next thing I'm going to do.

'On the verge of' is normally a bit negative for me. I use it when I'm getting close to doing something I don't want to do: "I'm on the verge of losing my temper" or "I was on the verge of telling him just what an idiot he was." It has more the feeling of being 'pushed' into something by your surroundings.

I hope that has helped some!
Any more questions, just let me know,
-Toby
__________________
Bite Sized English - My resource to help your practice your English a little every day.
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Unread May 3rd, 2009, 07:52 pm
eslHQ Enthusiast
 
Join Date: Mar 12th, 2009
Location: Iran
Posts: 33
majid72 is on a distinguished road
Default Re: on the verge of vs to be about to

Quote:
Quote STCrowley View Post
I like the second, because it is how I'd (American) talk. I say 'I'm about to' when I'm talking about the next thing I'm going to do.

'On the verge of' is normally a bit negative for me. I use it when I'm getting close to doing something I don't want to do: "I'm on the verge of losing my temper" or "I was on the verge of telling him just what an idiot he was." It has more the feeling of being 'pushed' into something by your surroundings.

I hope that has helped some!
Any more questions, just let me know,
-Toby
Thank you Dear STCrowley;21541 for being kind to answer me.
Could you explain a bit more with a few examples about your usage of " about to "?

Best regards
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Unread May 4th, 2009, 01:23 am
eslHQ Zealot
 
Join Date: Apr 5th, 2009
Posts: 96
STCrowley is on a distinguished road
Default Re: on the verge of vs to be about to

No problem:

"About to," just means that something is the next thing I'm going to do: "I'm about to go into town, do you want me to bring you anything?" "I'm about to eat dinner, can I call you back later."

If you use 'about to' with a context, it doesn't have to mean the next thing YOU are going to do. If you work Monday to Friday, but talk to a friend on Saturday, you can say "At work, we're about to start a new project." Obviously, that won't mean that the next thing you do is start the project (it's Saturday, you won't even be at work the next day) but it means it's the next thing you'll do at work.

And, of course, since Americans like to exaggerate, we use 'about to' for things that we'll do soon. . . but not as the very next thing. "He's about to get married," for a person who's getting married next month, for example. Or, "I think John's about to lose his job," meaning he could lose his job in the near future.

Hope that helps. If I'm not clear, please say so!
-Toby
__________________
Bite Sized English - My resource to help your practice your English a little every day.
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Unread May 4th, 2009, 09:09 am
eslHQ Enthusiast
 
Join Date: Mar 12th, 2009
Location: Iran
Posts: 33
majid72 is on a distinguished road
Default Re: on the verge of vs to be about to

Quote:
Quote STCrowley View Post
No problem:

"About to," just means that something is the next thing I'm going to do: "I'm about to go into town, do you want me to bring you anything?" "I'm about to eat dinner, can I call you back later."

If you use 'about to' with a context, it doesn't have to mean the next thing YOU are going to do. If you work Monday to Friday, but talk to a friend on Saturday, you can say "At work, we're about to start a new project." Obviously, that won't mean that the next thing you do is start the project (it's Saturday, you won't even be at work the next day) but it means it's the next thing you'll do at work.

And, of course, since Americans like to exaggerate, we use 'about to' for things that we'll do soon. . . but not as the very next thing. "He's about to get married," for a person who's getting married next month, for example. Or, "I think John's about to lose his job," meaning he could lose his job in the near future.

Hope that helps. If I'm not clear, please say so!
-Toby
Thank you very much for your very clear and useful answer.

Best Wishes.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads Replies
about to vs on the verge of 2

Find the Best TEFL, TESL, TESOL & CELTA Certification Courses - User Submitted Ratings & Reviews for Online, Distance & Abroad TEFL Courses. Over 3,500 reviews of 100+ TEFL schools!

Teach English in Thailand - Onsite and Combined TEFL certification courses in Phuket, Thailand.


Free ESL Flashcards


Similar Threads Replies
about to vs on the verge of 2


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:01 pm.

All materials from this website are for classroom-use only. Digital redistribution of materials, in part or in whole, is strictly forbidden!

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2