Understanding a common English phrase for expressing imminent actions
What Does It Mean?
The phrase "be on the point of doing" means that someone is just about to do something — the action is going to happen very soon, possibly in seconds or minutes.
It’s often used interchangeably with "about to", but it sounds slightly more formal or dramatic.
Structure & Grammar
The standard structure is:
Subject + be (am/is/are/was/were) + on the point of + verb-ing
Examples:
She was on the point of leaving when the phone rang.
They are on the point of signing the contract.
Common Usage Examples
I was on the point of calling you!
The baby is on the point of walking.
We were on the point of giving up when help arrived.
He is on the point of tears. (Used with states like “tears”, “collapse”, etc.)