A question about the construction: "estar a punto de + infinitivo"

Question

I am trying to understand a grammar lesson I just completed, but am finding that all of my questions are not being answered.

The expression is:

"estar a punto de + infinitivo

Estuvo a punto de estornudar.

You were just about to sneeze.

It was explained that this construction can be used when you are just at the point of something happening, but then nothing occurs. In the example above, the person was about to sneeze, but then didn't have to sneeze.

I had a couple of questions, which were not answered. First, can this expression be used even if the situation (in this case "sneezing") does occur?

For example, in English, I can think of situations like this:

We were just about to eat. Now you can join us.

I was just about to leave for the store. Would you like to go with me?

In both cases, it is assumed that the action was completed.

Also, is it possible to use this construction in different tenses? Only the preterit was used in my lesson so it is not clear to me whether or not this is something that can only be used when discussing the past.

Thanks in advance!

estornudar - gone, Mar 1, 2011

Gracias Usarenzo. :) - Nicole-B, Mar 1, 2011

Answer 1

The answer to all your questions is YES. Estar a punto means to be on the verge of something and it can be conjugated in any tense.

Ya a las 5:30 am estaremos a punto de llegar a nuestro destino (future)

Si no estuviera a punto de terminar, abandonaría la universidad.(past subjunctive)

Sé que estás a punto de salir, pero espérame.(simple present)

Estaba a punto de volverse loca, por eso se divorció de Felipe.(imperfect).

Great answer, usarenzo - Izanoni1, Mar 1, 2011

I would have voted ten times for this excellent and very clear explanation if I could. Muchas gracias. :)chisi - Nicole-B, Mar 1, 2011

Answer 2

I can't answer your question, but this might interest you.

estar por/para

Estar para

This construction is used to indicate that an action is on the verge of happening. Estar para is another way of saying estar a punto de.

Another great link, Q! - Izanoni1, Mar 1, 2011

Thanks Quentin. Now I have two ways of conveying this thought. Great link. - Nicole-B, Mar 1, 2011

I have heard estar por and estar para. Estar para sounds hideous to me. - gone, Mar 1, 2011

Since most of my communication is with Spanish speaking people from the Caribbean and Mexico. Would "para" be the accepted form or the "hideous" form in these regions? - Nicole-B, Mar 1, 2011

I would use estar a punto instead. It leaves no room for mistakes. - gone, Mar 1, 2011

Answer 3

Just to fill in with a bit more unsolicited information, the expression "estar a punto de hacer algo" is also sometimes seen with the preposition "en" as in "estar en punto de hacer algo."

Here is the RAE entry which you might find useful:

estar a/en punto algo.

1. locs. verbs. Estar próximo a suceder. Estar a punto de perder la vida. Estuvo en punto de ser rico

Real Academia Española © Todos los derechos reservados

You might also consider checking out the DPD entry for estar (#4 Estar al + infinitive and #8 Estar para + infinitive) to go along with the link that Q posted.

Interestingly, and you would have to ask a native to attest to the validity of this, I have heard and read that in (at least parts of North and South) America "estar por" is used (rather than estar para) in this same fashion as "estar a punto de" (i.e. to mean "to be about to..."). Here is one thread where you can see this contention being made.

Thanks Ira for these links. I now understand because of usarenzo and both you and Quentin have given me additional options, which I will hopefully remember and put into practice. - Nicole-B, Mar 1, 2011

Yes. Estar por is used in the same context. Maria esta por venir. Maria is about to arrive. - gone, Mar 1, 2011

Answer 4

From Izanoni's thread above:

He oído "estamos a punto a salir" y "estamos para salir" y creo que ambos significan "we are about to leave".

¿Hay una diferencia entre los dos? ¿son intercambiales?

It is interesting that the person answering mentioned that the second version of "estamos para salir" is less formal. But then again, I remember that in many threads, especially from our friend Nila, that we mention that certain versions of sentences in English are less formal. I suppose it is something you have to get a feel after becoming more and more familiar with a language.

Also, as mentioned, in some countries "por" is substituted for "para" to convey the same thought. I'm wondering if all of these versions are understood in most Spanish speaking countries.

For example, in the U.S., we never use "flat" for apartment, but we know exactly what is meant.

Although flat is odd in that context it does allow the use of the word flatmate. Neither housemate or room mate are accurate if you live in an apartment. Go on, say it :-) - afowen, Mar 1, 2011

Maybe we can talk to the people at Websters to consider adding "apartmentmate". :) - Nicole-B, Mar 1, 2011