about
‘about’
You use about when you mention what someone is saying, writing, or thinking.
Manuel told me about his new job.
I'll have to think about that.
You can say that a book is about a particular subject or that it is on that subject.
She is writing a book about politics.
I'm reading Anthony Daniels' book on Guatemala.
You can also use about to say what a novel or play deals with. Don't use ‘on’.
This is a novel about ethics.
They read a story about growing up.
‘about to’
If you are about to do something, you are going to do it soon.
You are about to cross the River Jordan.
I was about to go home.
Be careful
Don't use an -ing form in sentences like these. Don't say, for example, ‘You are about crossing the River Jordan’.
Don't use an -ing form in sentences like these. Don't say, for example, ‘You are about crossing the River Jordan’.
➜ For more information, see around - round - about