estas + Participle in -onta
About to: Estas and -onta
The first verb sets the time, and -onta says the action has not started yet.
How It Works
| Form | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Mi estas forironta. | I am about to leave. |
| Mi estis forironta. | I was about to leave, or I planned to leave. |
The form shows that someone is ready for an action, or plans it. It often tells about a plan that did not happen: Ni estis veturontaj al la kongreso, sed pro la malsano ni restis hejme.
Most of the time a simple verb is clearer. Ni baldaŭ ekiros means nearly the same as Ni estas ekirontaj. Choose -onta in an announcement, or when you want to show that a plan was ready.
Do not mix it up with -inta. Mi estas foririnta says the leaving is over. Mi estas forironta says it comes next.
Examples (3)
- Pardonu, Ana, mi estas forironta; la trajno ekiras post dek minutoj.
Sorry, Ana, I am about to leave; the train starts in ten minutes.
Estas forironta says the leaving comes next.
- Ni estis veturontaj al la kongreso, sed pro la malsano de Ana ni restis hejme.
We were about to travel to the congress, but because of Ana's illness we stayed at home.
Estis veturontaj shows a plan that did not happen, and veturontaj agrees with ni.
- La urbestro estas malfermonta la kongreson per kelkaj vortoj.
The mayor is about to open the congress with a few words.
In an announcement, estas malfermonta tells the listeners that the opening comes next.
Common Mistakes
Leaving -j off the participle after a plural subject.
Ni estis veturonta al la kongreso.Ni estis veturontaj al la kongreso.The participle agrees with the subject like an adjective after estas, so ni needs veturontaj.
Using -inta for an action that has not happened yet.
Pardonu, mi estas foririnta; la trajno ekiras post dek minutoj.Pardonu, mi estas forironta; la trajno ekiras post dek minutoj.Estas foririnta says the leaving is already over, which does not fit a train that starts later. For a leaving that comes next, use -onta.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Estas with -onta says an action is about to happen.
Related Patterns
Practice estas + Participle in -onta in Bubblegum
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