即刻的将来
型态
当我们谈的是「即刻的将来」时，可以用一种句型，其包含三个要素：
依照主词做现在式的词形变化 + about + 主要动词的不定词
| 主词 | + to be | + about（或 just about） | + 不定词 |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | am | about | to be sick |
| They | are | about | to arrive. |
| It | is | just about | to explode. |
即刻的将来，以 to leave 为例
| 肯定句 | 否定句 | 疑问句 | 否定疑问句 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
此句型用来论及讲话时片刻之后的事，强调某件事很快就会发生。
举例
- 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.
若谈论的是过去即将发生丶但被打断的事，也可以将此句型的现在式 Be 动词改为一般过去时的 Be 动词。这样的句型通常后面会接一个以「when」引导的子句。
举例
- 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.