I am about to and I am on the point of

[Terminator]

Hi Everybody! Tell me please the difference in the usage following expressions
I am about to
and
I am on the point of
Terminator
Many thanks

[Torsten]

Hi Terminator,

Both expressions - 'to be about to' and 'to be on the point of' describe a fixed or decided event - not necessarily with the idea of personal intention as the following expamples show:

'The negotiations are on the point of collapsing'
'The negotiations are about to collapse.'

'She is about to give up on her article.'
'She is on the point of giving up on her article.'
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Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Terminator]

Hi Torsten!
Are these expressions interchangable?

[Torsten]

Hi again,

Yes, both constructions mean almost exactly the same thing with 'to be about to' being a bit more popular.
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary