Be about to in English movies

Abstract

This study verifies the usages and meanings of the phrase be about to, as described in previous studies, using data from English films. The phrase has been discussed in reference to (1) events in the near future, (2) the intention of a subject in negation, (3) restrictions on adverbial phrases, (4) the person of the subject, and (5) as a co-occurrence with the adverb just. Based on the data and discussion, this study also proposes an approach to introduce this particular expression in English teaching.