即刻的未來
型態
當我們談的是「即刻的未來」時，可以用一種句型，其包含三個要素：
依照主詞做現在式的詞形變化 + about + 主要動詞的不定詞
| 主詞 | + to be | + about（或 just about） | + 不定詞 |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | am | about | to be sick |
| They | are | about | to arrive. |
| It | is | just about | to explode. |
即刻的未來，以 to leave 為例
| 肯定句 | 否定句 | 疑問句 | 否定疑問句 |
|---|---|---|---|
| I am about to leave. | I am not about to leave. | Am I about to leave? | Am I not about to leave? |
| You are about to leave. | You are not about to leave. | Are you about to leave? | Aren't you about to leave? |
| He is about to leave. | He is not about to leave. | Is he about to leave? | Isn't he about to leave? |
| We are about to leave. | We aren't about to leave. | Are we about to leave? | Aren't we about to leave? |
| They are about to leave. | They aren't about to leave. | Are they about to leave? | Aren't they about to leave? |
作用
此句型用來論及講話時片刻之後的事，強調某件事很快就會發生。
舉例
- She is about to cry.
- You are about to see something very unusual.
- I am about to go to a meeting.
- We are just about to go inside.
- Sally is just about to jump off that diving board.
若談論的是過去即將發生、但被打斷的事，也可以將此句型的現在式 Be 動詞改為過去簡單式的 Be 動詞。這樣的句型通常後面會接一個以「when」引導的子句。
舉例
- She was about to leave when Jim arrived.
- When it started to rain, I was about to go out for a walk.
- I was just about to call her when she walked in.
- The car was just about to flip over when he regained control.