borderline extreme

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "borderline extreme" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is on the edge of being considered extreme, often in a context where moderation is expected. Example: "His behavior at the party was borderline extreme, pushing the limits of what is socially acceptable."

✓ Grammatically correct

General

Medical

Sales

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The methods in every case were intense, sometimes sort of silly, and at other times borderline extreme.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Some business even take this to a borderline-unethical extreme, increasing a product's price so that a big, appealing, limited-time deal reduces its price to normal levels.

WikiHow

Like other delegations, the Americans have tested borderline asthmatics in extreme conditions to see how they might respond to competing in Athens.

The New York Times - Sports

Author Idith Zertal, in her book, writes: "The leniency displayed by the courts, even in the gravest abuse cases, stemmed, one would assume, from the impact of the ghastly pictures... the extreme borderline conditions in which people, robbed of their humanity, were essentially dead while still alive".

Huffington Post

The ERP pattern for all affected NE family members deviated from that of the average of the normal age-matched controls, although that of III-3 was borderline at the extreme low end of normal variation and could indicate a less severe version of the disorder.

Genes, Brain and Behavior

We classified children as having extreme borderline personality characteristics if they scored at or above the 95th centile on a shortened version of the Shedler-Westen assessment procedure-200 for adolescents (SWAP-200A), 26 which mothers completed when the twins were aged 12. 27 We calculated the score with the self harm item excluded.

British Medical Journal

The itty-bitty waist can easily be interpreted as the latest example of Disney celebrating extreme, borderline-impossible, thinness--and more troubling still, James herself said she had to go on a liquid diet in order to squeeze into her corset.

Huffington Post

"With prolonged exposure and moderate physical activity, you will be on the borderline between caution and extreme caution".

The New York Times - Health

Linehan diagnosed her with borderline personality disorder, an extreme inability to regulate moods, and prescribed a type of counseling called dialectical behavior therapy.

Forbes

A lawyer reportedly accused her of being "dirty inside and out", a "she-devil, a diabolical person focused on sex, drugs and alcohol, living life to the extreme and borderline".

BBC

Is it the one we see before us here, simple water and soap, the angelic St Maria Goretti?" "Or is she really a she-devil, a diabolical person focused on sex, drugs and alcohol, living life to the extreme and borderline - is this the Amanda Knox of 1 November 2007?" Maria Goretti was a teenager made a saint by the Roman Catholic Church after she was murdered during an attempted rape.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "borderline extreme" to describe situations or behaviors that push the limits of acceptability without fully crossing over into being considered truly extreme. It's useful when precision is needed to convey the degree of intensity.

Common error

Avoid stacking qualifiers like "borderline", "very", and "extremely". Instead, choose more precise language that directly conveys the degree of intensity you intend. Instead of "borderline very extreme", opt for "highly intense" or "almost unbearable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "borderline extreme" functions as a qualifier, specifically an adjective phrase. It is used to modify a noun or describe a situation, indicating that it is close to being considered extreme, but not quite. Ludwig examples showcase it in contexts ranging from behavior to personality characteristics.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

28%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "borderline extreme" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something nearing an extreme state. Ludwig examples shows that this is suitable across varied contexts like news, science, and general conversation, though its frequency is relatively rare. The phrase serves to qualify the degree of intensity without fully committing to labeling something as entirely "extreme". Related phrases include "almost extreme" or "verging on extreme". Ludwig AI confirms the validity and usability of this phrase in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bordering on the extreme

Identical in meaning to "borderline extreme", differing only in grammatical structure.

almost extreme

Indicates a near-extreme state, differing in emphasis on proximity to being fully extreme.

nearly extreme

Similar to "almost extreme", with a slight variation in wording.

verging on extreme

Suggests a movement towards being extreme, emphasizing the process of approaching the extreme.

close to extreme

Highlights the proximity to the extreme condition, focusing on how near it is.

on the edge of extreme

Emphasizes the precariousness of the situation, being right at the limit of what is considered extreme.

approaching extreme

Focuses on the direction of change, heading towards becoming extreme.

tantamount to extreme

Indicates equivalence to an extreme situation, suggesting it has the same effect.

akin to extreme

Suggests a similarity to an extreme situation, indicating shared characteristics.

nominally extreme

Highlights the potential for something to be described as extreme, but potentially to a lesser degree.

FAQs

How can I use "borderline extreme" in a sentence?

You can use "borderline extreme" to describe something that is very close to being extreme, such as "His behavior was "borderline extreme", and he almost got kicked out".

What's the difference between "borderline extreme" and "slightly extreme"?

"Borderline extreme" suggests something is very close to being fully extreme, whereas "slightly extreme" indicates something is only a little beyond what is normal or acceptable. The former implies a greater degree of intensity than the latter.

Which is correct, "borderline extreme" or "extremely borderline"?

"Borderline extreme" is the more conventional and understandable phrasing. "Extremely borderline" is less common and could be confusing because it suggests something is extremely close to a boundary, which isn't the intended meaning.

What are some alternative phrases for "borderline extreme"?

Alternatives for "borderline extreme" include phrases like "almost extreme", "nearly extreme", or "verging on extreme", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.