Learn how to say "about to do something" in Spanish
In Spanish we use this verbal structure to say when a person is about to do [something]:
Estar (conjugated) a punto de + Infinitivo
Have a look and listen to the following examples in different tenses:
Nosotros estábamos a punto de salir cuando llegó nuestra madre.We were about to leave when our mother arrived.
Bear in mind that although this verbal structure can be used in different tenses, when used in El Pretérito Perfecto it could also express an action that was "nearly done" but never happened.
For example:
He estado a punto de atropellar a un gato.
I nearly ran over a cat (but I didn't).
See also Soler para expresar hábitos.
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