| Element | USE: 'BE ON THE POINT OF' |
|---|---|
| SuperCat | FUTURE |
| SubCat | future in the past |
| Lexical Range | N/A |
| Level | B2 |
| Cando | Can use the simple past form of 'be' + 'on the point of' + '-ing' to talk about things that were expected to happen soon after a point in the past. |
| Corrected Learner Example | In addition, when I was on the point of leaving the office, another phone rang. (Greece; B2 VANTAGE; 2002; Greek; Pass) In fact he simulated his death to escape from the police, who were on the point of catching him fora penicillin racket. (Laos; B2 VANTAGE; 1993; Lao; Pass) |
| Uncorrected Learner Example | |
| Comments | This structure is very low frequency in both CLC and CEC |
