eng8-u4-grammar-b· UNIT 4. MANNERS AND RULES· ~17 min

Unit 4 Grammar B: About to, due to, and able to

Distinguish imminent action, scheduled events, and ability.

Be about to describes something expected to happen very soon: I’m just about to leave. In a past narrative, was or were about to sets up an action that was imminent; the surrounding clause may show whether it happened or was interrupted. Be due to describes an event expected or scheduled for a stated time: the course is due to start at 13:00. Be able to expresses ability, especially where can cannot follow another modal: will be able to. Each construction uses the correct form of be followed by about to, due to, or able to and then the base verb.

Key terms

imminent — expected to happen very soon
scheduled — planned for a particular time
ability — the capacity or skill to do something
interruption — an event that stops another intended action from continuing
Three be expressions
MeaningPatternExample
Imminent actionbe about to + baseShe is about to call.
Scheduled eventbe due to + baseThe course is due to start at 13:00.
Abilitybe able to + baseThey will be able to join.
Past about to
ContextWhat it tells youExample
No later result statedaction was imminentWe were about to leave.
Interruption statedaction was imminent and did not proceed thenWe were about to leave when the alarm rang, so we stayed.
✎Choose by intended meaning
  1. 1Find the key idea: The timetable gives 3 p.m. as the planned start.
  2. 2Select the construction: A scheduled event uses be due to.
  3. 3Build the form: The course is due to start at 3 p.m.
🚫Do not combine two modals

Say will be able to, not will can.

💡Read the whole past context

Was about to shows imminence; an interruption clause tells you whether the action stopped.

Rules

  1. 1Use be about to + base verb for an action that is imminent.
  2. 2Just can emphasize immediacy in just about to.
  3. 3A past was/were about to clause does not alone prove the action failed; use the surrounding context to see what happened.
  4. 4Use be due to + base verb for an expected or scheduled event, often with a stated time.
  5. 5Use be able to + base verb for ability.
  6. 6After will, use will be able to rather than will can.
  7. 7Match be with the subject and time: am/is/are, was/were, or will be.
  8. 8Time and context should select the intended construction; do not choose only from a nearby noun.

Practice

4 easy · 4 medium · 4 hard

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