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"Estar a punto de" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to be about to", and "o" is a conjunction which is often translated as "or". Learn more about the difference between "estar a punto de" and "o" below.
estar a punto de(
ehs
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tahr
ah
poon
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toh
deh
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. to be about to
Estábamos a punto de pedir unas pizzas. ¿Tú quieres?We were about to order some pizza. Would you like some?
b. to be on the point of
Natalia estaba a punto de decir algo importante cuando sonó el teléfono.Natalia was on the point of saying something important when the telephone rang.
d. to be almost
La madre no paraba de gritar al niño, que estaba a punto de echarse a llorar.The mother wouldn't stop shouting at the kid, who was almost crying.
e. to be on the verge of
El plan de la empresa no puede fracasar; cientos de personas están a punto de perder sus empleos.The company's plan just cannot fall through; hundreds of people are on the verge of losing their jobs.
f. to be on the brink of
La economía del país andino estaba a punto de caer en una fuerte recesión.The economy of the Andean country was on the brink of falling into a deep recession.
o, la o(
oh
)A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., The cat and the dog slept.).
a. either...or
Terminarás tu tarea o por las buenas o por las malas.You're going to finish your homework either the easy way or the hard way.
3. (otherwise)
a. or
La residencia del presidente de los Estados Unidos, o Casa Blanca, fue construida en 1790.The residence of the President of the United States, or the White House, was built in 1790.
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
