at the verge of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'at the verge of' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe a situation that is close to happening or occurring. For example: "The band was at the verge of breaking up before their surprise reunion concert."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

And this is what we're at the verge of discovering.

Cornell University

Except for individuals at the verge of molting, activities were restricted to the scotophase, largely independent of the LD-ratio.

Aquaculture

Men who rushed to the scene found Bate slightly wounded and Stoney apparently at the verge of death.

The Washington Post

It is worth mentioning that there are materials which show maximal MCE at the verge of metamagnetic transitions30.

Nature

The downstream fish in this arrangement can avoid the jet flow of the upstream fish and benefit from the counter flow at the verge of the upstream wake.

Ocean Engineering

We are at the verge of having a material loss as a result of lack of liquidity".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Finally, the boundaries of the Shh TAD do not represent the absolute expression limits of enhancer activity, as expression activity is lost stepwise at a number of genomic positions at the verges of these domains.

Development (Cambridge)

We meet King (born Carole Klein) at 16, on the verge of selling her first song to Don Kirshner Mike McLeishh) at 50s and 60s label Aldon Music.

The Guardian

We are, at last, on the verge of realizing the computer utility vision (Multics: 1965).

Cornell University

"We are all so emotional," said Ana Maria Camarago, who appeared at times on the verge of tears.

The Guardian

Now, the situation is at last on the verge of change.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the verge of" to create a sense of anticipation or tension, highlighting that a significant change or event is imminent.

Common error

Avoid using "at the verge of" interchangeably with phrases like "in the middle of" or "experiencing". "At the verge of" specifically indicates an impending transition or event, not a current state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the verge of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates a state of being close to a particular condition, event, or outcome, similar to phrases like "on the brink of". Ludwig AI confirms its widespread and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at the verge of" is a versatile prepositional phrase that signals an imminent event or state. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various domains. It's most frequently found in news and media, science, and academic writing, making it appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a state of anticipation and closeness to a specific outcome. Consider alternatives like "on the brink of" or "approaching" to fine-tune the nuance of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the brink of

This phrase emphasizes the precariousness or sensitivity of the situation, suggesting that something significant could happen imminently.

on the cusp of

Suggests being at a transitional point, right before a change or new beginning.

on the threshold of

Implies a sense of anticipation and readiness for something new to begin.

approaching

Focuses on the act of nearing a particular state or event.

nearing

Similar to approaching, but can imply a more gradual process.

close to

A more general way of expressing proximity to an event or state.

about to

Indicates that something is going to happen very soon.

on the point of

Highlights the imminence and potential suddenness of an event.

in danger of

Suggests a negative outcome that is likely to occur soon without intervention.

in the offing

Implies that something is likely to happen or appear in the near future.

FAQs

How can I use "at the verge of" in a sentence?

The phrase "at the verge of" indicates that something is about to happen. For example, "The company was "at the verge of" bankruptcy before a new investor arrived".

What phrases are similar to "at the verge of"?

Similar phrases include "on the brink of", "on the cusp of", and "approaching". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "at the verge of"?

Yes, the phrase "at the verge of" is grammatically correct and widely used in English. It is commonly found in news articles, academic papers, and general conversation.

What's the difference between "at the verge of" and "in the middle of"?

"At the verge of" implies that something is about to begin or happen, while "in the middle of" suggests that something is already in progress. For example, "They were "at the verge of" celebrating" (about to celebrate) versus "They were in the middle of celebrating" (already celebrating).