are bordering on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are bordering on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is approaching a certain state or condition, often implying that it is very close to crossing a threshold. Example: "His behavior is bordering on unacceptable, and it needs to be addressed immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Mrs Graham said: "People tend to think they are doing well as they see them in zoos, but they are bordering on being classed as critically endangered". The one-week-old duo have been seen clinging to their mothers' belly but will soon become more independent and begin exploring their surroundings.

BBC

We are bordering on insanity".

The New Yorker

David Cameron's trade missions are bordering on the ludicrous.

The Guardian - Opinion

JOHN COLAPINTO: She admitted that many of her colleagues are bordering on obese.

The New Yorker

"Raf has a uniform – his clothes are bordering on clerical, although with completely outrageous shoes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"These protests that are bordering on illegality must come to an end as of now," he said.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

All this extra software HP has thrown in is bordering on intrusive though.

TechCrunch

Most of the fairways are bordered on either side by thick jungle.

The New York Times

The rungs are bordered on either side by DC-only "guard" electrodes that provide lateral ion confinement.

Analytical Chemistry

Berget's arrival and elevation is bordering on the bizarre for one so ordinary.

BBC

At one point, Hariri appeared to be bordering on tears.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific context when using "are bordering on". Ensure it accurately reflects the degree of proximity and the implications of reaching that state.

Common error

Avoid using "are bordering on" when the subject is clearly already in the state you're implying. Ensure there's a genuine sense of approaching a threshold, rather than having already crossed it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are bordering on" functions as a qualifier, indicating that something is approaching a particular state or condition without fully attaining it. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Examples in Ludwig show its use in describing situations that are close to being, but not quite, a certain thing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

21%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are bordering on" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote that something is approaching a specific state or condition. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, academia, and formal writing. When using "are bordering on", ensure it accurately reflects the degree of proximity and consider alternative phrases like "are approaching" or "are close to" to fine-tune the meaning. Be mindful not to overstate the case, and avoid using it when the subject has clearly already reached the state you're implying.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are approaching

Indicates a movement closer to a specific condition or state, emphasizing the process of nearing something.

are verging on

Implies a stronger sense of immediacy and a higher likelihood of crossing the threshold into a new state.

are nearing

Similar to "are approaching", but often used for tangible or measurable progress toward a goal or limit.

are close to

A more straightforward way of expressing proximity, suitable for a wide range of contexts.

are on the brink of

Emphasizes the precariousness or potential danger of the impending state.

are on the verge of

Similar to "are on the brink of", highlighting the nearness of a significant change or event.

are almost

Highlights the fact that the condition is nearly reached.

are tending towards

Suggests a gradual shift or inclination in a particular direction or state.

are drifting towards

Emphasizes a gradual and often unintentional movement toward a new state or condition.

are on the cusp of

Suggests being at a decisive point or transition between two states or conditions.

FAQs

How can I use "are bordering on" in a sentence?

The phrase "are bordering on" is used to indicate that something is close to becoming a particular state or quality. For example: "Their actions "are bordering on illegal"".

What phrases are similar to "are bordering on"?

Similar phrases include "are approaching", "are verging on", or "are nearing". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "are bordering on" in formal writing?

Yes, the phrase "are bordering on" is suitable for formal writing, especially when you need to precisely describe something that is approaching a certain state without fully reaching it. However, always consider if a simpler phrase like "are close to" would suffice.

What's the difference between "are bordering on" and "are"?

"Are" indicates a current state, while "are bordering on" indicates that something is close to reaching that state. For example, saying "The situation is critical" means it's already critical, while "The situation "is bordering on critical"" suggests it's about to become critical.