at the very threshold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the very threshold" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe being at the beginning or entrance of something, often metaphorically indicating a significant point of transition or change. Example: "We are at the very threshold of a new era in technology, where advancements will reshape our daily lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

at the very threshold of the station.

The Guardian - Books

"The protection of the fundamental right to free speech necessitates the existence of safety walls at the very threshold of setting the criminal law into motion".

The New York Times

Midday practice was an intense two-hour affair, putting the swimmers through their paces at top speeds or at the very threshold of their endurance; dry-land work followed for an hour.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

There was still no difference even at the very reduced threshold of P < 0.01 uncorrected (Fig. 3 C).

Cerebral Cortex

Following the International Schizophrenia Consortium study, alleles that were more common in cases than controls at SNPs showing evidence for association at the very relaxed threshold p <.5 were considered risk alleles.

Biological Psychiatry

Therefore, to determine the validity of the 'variants' we detected at the very lowest thresholds (0.1 0.5%), an ANOVA was performed to compare the distribution of stereotyped variants between MNGIE and control mtDNA.

European Journal of Human Genetics

By contrast, BLAST shows very impressive sensitivity at the very high stringency threshold; but does not perform well at the other thresholds (Table 1).

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

Indeed, after combined with BLAST [i.e. 'lapSVM motif)+lapSVM CKSAAP)+BLAST'], the predictor's sensitivity at the very high stringency threshold has been considerably improved to 25.0%.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

In line with the intuitive observation from the ROC curves, two lapSVM classifiers rank the best at the moderate and high stringency thresholds, with a 4 20% better sensitivity compared with BLAST or PSI-BLAST; but perform the worst at the very high stringency threshold (Table 1).

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

During this time Lψ, the temperature continues to increase towards the value AT ("apparent threshold") at the very time of the reaction.

Plosone

Nevertheless, such a high mutation rate does not necessarily place the quasispecies at the very edge of the error threshold, as often assumed.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the very threshold" to create a sense of anticipation or signify the beginning of a significant change or event.

Common error

While appropriate in certain contexts, avoid overusing "at the very threshold". Vary your language by opting for synonyms like "on the brink" or "at the edge" to maintain writing freshness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the very threshold" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate location or state. It describes being at the entrance or starting point of something, often implying a transition or imminent change, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at the very threshold" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase that signifies being at the entrance or commencement of something significant. Ludwig AI identifies its function as highlighting the importance of a moment or position, often creating anticipation. While not overly frequent, its use is acceptable across various contexts, including news media, science, and formal business settings. To avoid repetition, consider using alternatives like "on the verge" or "on the brink".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge

Focuses on imminence and anticipation of something about to happen.

on the brink

Emphasizes the precariousness or critical nature of the situation.

at the edge

Highlights the position close to a boundary or limit.

on the cusp

Implies being on the edge of a transition or change.

at the starting point

Focuses on the commencement or initiation of an event or process.

at the gateway

Suggests an entrance or access point to something significant.

at the dawn

Emphasizes the beginning or emergence of a new era or development.

at the inception

Highlights the very beginning or creation of something.

at the initial stage

Emphasizes the preliminary phase or beginning of a process.

at the forefront

Highlights a leading position or involvement in something.

FAQs

How can I use "at the very threshold" in a sentence?

You can use "at the very threshold" to indicate the beginning of something significant, such as "We stand "at the very threshold" of a new era in space exploration".

What phrases are similar to "at the very threshold"?

Similar phrases include "on the verge", "on the brink", or "at the edge", all suggesting a position close to a boundary or transition.

Is "at the very threshold" formal or informal?

"At the very threshold" leans towards a more formal register, suitable for academic, professional, or news contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "at the very threshold"?

Use "at the very threshold" when you want to emphasize the imminence of a change or the significance of a beginning, creating a sense of anticipation or importance.