The phrase "am about" can be replaced by various synonyms depending on the context of the sentence. It can be substituted with "intend", "prepare to", "get ready to", or "be on the verge of". For example, instead of saying "I am about to leave the house," one can modify it and say "I intend to leave the house," "I am getting ready to leave the house," or "I am on the verge of leaving the house." In conclusion, utilizing synonyms in our language can help increase our vocabulary and convey our message more precisely.