bordering on offensive

USAGE SUMMARY

"bordering on offensive" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is very close to being offensive, but does not quite cross the line. Example: "I found his comments about women's intelligence to be bordering on offensive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

On Twitter, however,Noah has been known to take more risks – and has faced criticism for off-colour tweeting bordering on offensive.

The Guardian

Even more bizarre, bordering on offensive, is this view that Cilla being a Tory-supporter was a good reason to dislike her, question her talent, kindness or integrity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Either way — and factoring in the hyperbole of impending negotiations for a contract extension — that is a joke bordering on offensive.

The New York Times - Sports

Such hackneyed images of hackers are, of course, evidently wrong, bordering on offensive.

Forbes

If you are bordering on offensive or insulting, you are heading into the aggressive zone.

HuffPost

The notion that he might succeed Jeter as the face of baseball is laughable, bordering on offensive, to Albert Pujols.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

After 25 years in the business, Hucknall's lasting legacy will not be Simply Red's inexplicable 50 million album sales but a confidence bordering on the offensive.

The Guardian - Music

The concept behind this drink at Harvard & Stone is silly, possibly bordering on the offensive.

Los Angeles Times

His character is a walking racial stereotype, bordering on the offensive; the authors also give him three "girls" for backup in musical numbers that might raise a snicker or two.

Huffington Post

He can also be rambling and inarticulate in a way that borders on offensive, at one point comparing his effort to commission a piece of art for a stairwell in the Manhattan store to the work of Martin Luther King Jr. "All you gotta do is find other people that believe what you believe and you can create a movement," he says.

Forbes

Until you can offer an alternate solution to stop the rain of rocket fire, your questioning whether this response is really in Israel's best interests borders on offensive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bordering on offensive" to precisely describe situations where something isn't quite offensive, but very close to it. This avoids exaggeration and maintains nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "bordering on offensive" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your descriptions with synonyms like "verging on offensive" or "almost offensive" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bordering on offensive" functions as a qualifier, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something is close to being offensive. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bordering on offensive" is a useful tool for expressing that something is nearly offensive without explicitly stating that it is. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, typically to describe situations needing a delicate assessment. It's important to use the phrase judiciously to maintain nuance in writing and avoid overuse. Consider alternatives like "verging on offensive" or "almost offensive" to avoid repetition and to finely adjust your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

verging on offensive

Emphasizes a slightly stronger movement toward being offensive compared to the original phrase.

almost offensive

Simplifies the idea to a direct statement of near-offensiveness.

close to being offensive

More descriptive and less idiomatic than the original.

approaching offensiveness

Highlights the gradual increase in offensiveness.

tantamount to offensive

Suggests the action or statement is virtually equivalent to being offensive.

nearly offensive

A more straightforward and less nuanced way of expressing the same idea.

on the edge of being offensive

Emphasizes the precariousness of the situation, almost crossing the line.

skirting offensiveness

Suggests carefully avoiding being outright offensive.

treading a fine line with offensiveness

Indicates a risky approach where the speaker or actor is close to causing offense.

risking offense

Focuses on the potential consequence of causing offense, rather than the degree of offensiveness itself.

FAQs

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

You can use "bordering on offensive" to describe something that is close to being offensive but does not quite cross the line. For example, "His joke about cultural stereotypes was "bordering on offensive"."

What's a less formal way to say "bordering on offensive"?

Less formal ways to say "bordering on offensive" include "almost offensive", or "close to being offensive". These options are suitable for casual conversations or less formal writing.

What can I say instead of "bordering on offensive" in formal writing?

In formal writing, you could use "verging on offensive", or "approaching offensiveness". These alternatives maintain a level of sophistication suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is there a significant difference between "bordering on offensive" and "is offensive"?

Yes, "bordering on offensive" indicates that something is close to being offensive but hasn't fully crossed that line. Saying something "is offensive" is a direct statement that it is, in fact, causing offense. The former is a more nuanced expression.