bring to the verge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bring to the verge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is close to a particular state or condition, often implying a critical or decisive moment. Example: "The constant pressure from his peers brought him to the verge of a breakdown."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some species have been brought to the verge of extinction by hunting.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Societies do not need to be brought to the verge of starvation to slide into crisis.

The Guardian

The organization was finally brought to the verge of defeat in 2011, after a concerted counterinsurgency operation.

The New York Times

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed told the ICRC he was threatened with being brought to the "verge of death and back again".

The Guardian

The fate of the bison, which was brought to the verge of extinction by hide and meat hunters late in the 19th century, was repeated in Asia and Africa.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A case in point is Libya, where Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi — neither a king nor a president — has been brought to the verge of collapse with dizzying speed.

The New York Times

The Italian authorities have said Monte dei Paschi was brought to the verge of collapse by overpaying for Antonveneta and making bad trades with foreign banks, in deals that were often hidden from regulators and intended to camouflage losses.

The New York Times

In all the scores of times I have seen or watched that scene, I have rarely been brought to the verge of tears over Cratchit's grief, and this time I was.

The New York Times

From his exacting mechanical analysis, he concludes that the North Tower must have lost between 4 and 12 core columns ¾out of 44¾ while the South Tower lost between 7 and 20 such columns, and that both were brought to the verge of collapse by the collisions.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Squeaky clean Here and now Power to the poor Beyond carbon Sources Reprints Related items Alaska or bustFeb 8th 2001Such experts usually point to California, where utilities have been brought to the verge of bankruptcy by a botched deregulation of the power industry (of which more later).

The Economist

And Ralph Waldo Emerson, in his 1854 travelogue "English Traits," described the Normans as "greedy and ferocious dragoons, sons of greedy and ferocious pirates" who "took every thing they could carry," who "burned, harried, tortured, and killed, until everything English was brought to the verge of ruin".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bring to the verge" to describe situations nearing a critical or decisive moment. For example, "The company's financial troubles brought it to the verge of bankruptcy."

Common error

Avoid using "bring to the verge" in very casual or informal conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "almost" or "nearly" for everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bring to the verge" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe an action that results in something nearing a critical state or condition. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates proximity to a significant turning point.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

33%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bring to the verge" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the action of causing something to approach a critical state or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. While alternatives like "push to the brink" or "bring to the edge" exist, "bring to the verge" effectively emphasizes the impact leading to a significant threshold. To avoid overuse in casual conversation, consider simpler alternatives such as "almost" or "nearly".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

push to the brink

Emphasizes the action of pushing something or someone closer to a critical limit.

bring to the edge

Suggests reaching the boundary of a state or situation.

lead to the threshold

Implies guidance or direction toward a new or critical phase.

drive to the limit

Focuses on the intensity of effort that results in approaching a limit.

force to the precipice

Highlights the act of compelling something or someone to the very edge of danger or collapse.

set on the path to

Indicates initiating a course of action that leads toward a specific outcome, often negative.

move close to

Describes a gradual approach towards a particular state or condition.

approach the point of

Focuses on nearing a specific moment or condition that is critical.

near the moment of

Highlights the proximity in time to a significant event or turning point.

steer towards the brink

Suggests a deliberate action that directs something towards a risky or critical situation.

FAQs

How can I use "bring to the verge" in a sentence?

You can use "bring to the verge" to describe situations where something is close to a particular state or outcome, often implying a critical point. For instance, "The economic crisis brought the country to the verge of recession."

What are some alternatives to "bring to the verge"?

Alternatives include "push to the brink", "bring to the edge", or "lead to the threshold", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "bring to the verge" or "on the verge"?

"Bring to the verge" describes the action that leads to a state, while "on the verge" describes the state itself. For example, "Mismanagement brought the company to the verge of collapse," versus "The company was on the verge of collapse".

What kind of situations is the phrase "bring to the verge" best suited for?

The phrase "bring to the verge" is well-suited for describing significant events or actions that cause a situation to approach a crucial or dangerous point, such as political crises, economic downturns, or personal breakdowns.