English grammar
Was about to / was on the point of; nearly + past simple
Say something was about to happen or nearly happened, using was about to / was on the point of and nearly.
From the scene I was about to…
In short
Was about to + verb and was on the point of + -ing mean very soon. Nearly + past means almost.
Your turn
Which one goes with formal: be on the point of + -ing?
Options: the water nearly ruined the floor · I'm on the point of losing my patience · the work was about to be finished
Show answer
formal: be on the point of + -ing → I'm on the point of losing my patience
How it works
Was about to + verb and was on the point of + -ing both mean something was going to happen very soon, often interrupted: the work was about to be finished.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
The water (blank) ruined the new floor. My floor!
Options: nearly · nearly to · near
Show answer
The water nearly ruined the new floor. My floor!
El agua estuvo a punto de estropear el suelo nuevo. ¡Mi suelo!
Good to know
Nearly + past simple means something almost happened, but didn't: the water nearly ruined the floor.
about to happen, often interrupted the work was about to be finished
Nuria
Don Ramón, the work was about to be finished. One more day won't ruin anything.
Don Ramón, la obra estaba a punto de terminar. Un día más no echa a perder nada.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Don Ramón, (blank). One more day won't ruin anything.
Options: the water nearly ruined the floor · the work was about to be finished · I'm on the point of losing my patience
Show answer
Nuria
Don Ramón, the work was about to be finished. One more day won't ruin anything.
Don Ramón, la obra estaba a punto de terminar. Un día más no echa a perder nada.
formal: be on the point of + -ing I'm on the point of losing my patience
Ramón
Well, I'm on the point of losing my patience.
Pues yo estoy a punto de perder la paciencia.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Well, (blank).
Options: The work was about to be finished · The water nearly ruined the floor · I'm on the point of losing my patience
Show answer
Ramón
Well, I'm on the point of losing my patience.
Pues yo estoy a punto de perder la paciencia.
almost happened but didn't the water nearly ruined the floor
about to + infinitive, right now he's just about to arrive
Tomás
Relax, Don Ramón. He told me he's just about to arrive.
Tranquilo, Don Ramón. Me ha dicho que está al llegar.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Relax, Don Ramón. He told me (blank).
Options: I'm on the point of losing my patience · he's just about to arrive · the work was about to be finished
Show answer
Tomás
Relax, Don Ramón. He told me he's just about to arrive.
Tranquilo, Don Ramón. Me ha dicho que está al llegar.
to ruin, to spoil one more day won't ruin anything
Nuria
Don Ramón, the work was about to be finished. One more day won't ruin anything.
Don Ramón, la obra estaba a punto de terminar. Un día más no echa a perder nada.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Don Ramón, the work was about to be finished. (blank).
Options: The water nearly ruined the floor · One more day won't ruin anything · I'm on the point of losing my patience
Show answer
Nuria
Don Ramón, the work was about to be finished. One more day won't ruin anything.
Don Ramón, la obra estaba a punto de terminar. Un día más no echa a perder nada.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| about to happen, often interrupted | the work was about to be finished |
|---|---|
| formal: be on the point of + -ing | I'm on the point of losing my patience |
| almost happened but didn't | the water nearly ruined the floor |
| about to + infinitive, right now | he's just about to arrive |
| to ruin, to spoil | one more day won't ruin anything |
More lines from the story
- RamónThe water nearly ruined the new floor. My floor!El agua estuvo a punto de estropear el suelo nuevo. ¡Mi suelo!
- RamónWhere's that plumber? We've been waiting for two hours.¿Y ese fontanero? Llevamos dos horas esperando.
- NuriaHe's in Toledo? The plumber?¿Está en Toledo? ¿El fontanero?