on the point of VERBing

The English Vocabulary Profile entry:

be at/on the point of doing sth = B2 to be going to do something very soon

The English Grammar Profile B2 Point 57 in the category of FUTURE in the past is defined as:

‘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

GSE 71 B2+

‘on the point of’ (Br Eng) to talk about imminent events in the present and past. immediate future with ‘on the point of’ + gerund

For example:

I was just on the point of calling you.

listen

1 WAS ON THE POINT OF BEING 53
2 WAS ON THE POINT OF GIVING 25
3 WAS ON THE POINT OF GOING 21
4 WAS ON THE POINT OF LEAVING 20

5 WERE ON THE POINT OF BEING 17

  Classical-Music.com

We were on the point of being seduced with the idea of friendly aliens.

6 WAS ON THE POINT OF MAKING 16
7 WAS ON THE POINT OF TAKING 16

8 WAS ON THE POINT OF FALLING 13

  The Irish Sun

When I made contact, I immediately noticed in her voice, that she was on the point of falling asleep.

9 WAS ON THE POINT OF DOING 12

10 WAS ON THE POINT OF ENTERING 11

11 WERE ON THE POINT OF LEAVING 9
12 WAS ON THE POINT OF SAYING 8
13 WAS ON THE POINT OF TELLING 8

14 WAS ON THE POINT OF THROWING 8

15 WAS ON THE POINT OF FAINTING 7