brink of extinction

USAGE SUMMARY

'brink of extinction' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation when a species or group is close to disappearing or becoming extinct. For example: "Many species of frogs are on the brink of extinction due to climate change and pollution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The NHS is at the brink of extinction.

The Guardian

"They are not on the brink of extinction at all".

The New York Times - Science

DDT brought it to the brink of extinction.

The New York Times

But they are also poised on the brink of extinction.

The Guardian - Travel

"It was an animal on the brink of extinction".

The New York Times

So are bluefin really on the brink of extinction?

The New York Times

Can it be brought back from the brink of extinction?

Independent

The Cross River gorilla population in equatorial Africa has been pushed to the brink of extinction.

Yale University

The beer that conquered Brooklyn is on the brink of extinction.

Cornell University

Has our comedy become unfunny, and is our laughter on the brink of extinction?

The Guardian

The coalition said, "Overwhelming scientific evidence shows the beluga sturgeon are on the brink of extinction".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brink of extinction" to convey urgency and highlight the critical state of a species, language, or tradition facing potential disappearance. Ensure the context clearly establishes what is at risk.

Common error

Avoid using "brink of extinction" for situations that are merely declining or facing challenges but are not genuinely at risk of disappearing completely. This dilutes the phrase's impact and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brink of extinction" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, often used to modify another noun (e.g., species, language). According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and effectively communicates a state of near-total disappearance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brink of extinction" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression used to describe the state of something nearing complete disappearance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for use in written English to depict situations where a species, language, or other entity is close to ceasing existence. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as academic contexts, the phrase serves to emphasize the urgency and severity of the situation. While many alternatives exist, such as "verge of extinction" or "nearly extinct", it's crucial to use "brink of extinction" accurately, avoiding overuse in less critical scenarios to maintain its impactful meaning. Ensure a clear and urgent context is established for its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

verge of extinction

Changes "brink" to "verge", maintaining the sense of being on the edge of extinction.

edge of extinction

Substitutes "brink" with "edge", providing a slightly more literal image of nearness.

in danger of extinction

Uses a more common phrasing to indicate a similar level of threat.

nearly extinct

A shorter, more direct way of saying something is close to extinction.

point of no return for extinction

This alternative emphasizes the irreversibility of the situation if action is not taken.

critically endangered

Uses specific conservation status terminology to convey the severity of the situation.

facing extinction

Simplifies the phrase to focus on the direct confrontation with extinction.

threatened with extinction

Highlights the threat aspect, emphasizing the danger of extinction.

on the verge of disappearing

Replaces "extinction" with "disappearing", softening the impact while retaining the core meaning.

at risk of disappearing forever

Expands on the idea of extinction by adding the concept of permanence.

FAQs

How can I use "brink of extinction" in a sentence?

You can use "brink of extinction" to describe something facing near-certain disappearance, such as, "The northern white rhino is on the "brink of extinction"." This phrase is appropriate when something is in immediate danger of ceasing to exist.

What are some alternatives to "brink of extinction"?

Alternatives include "verge of extinction", "edge of extinction", or "nearly extinct". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "brink of extinction" for non-biological entities?

Yes, "brink of extinction" can be used metaphorically for non-biological entities like languages or traditions that are disappearing. For example, "Many indigenous languages are on the "brink of extinction"." However, ensure the metaphor is clear and impactful.

What's the difference between "threatened" and "brink of extinction"?

"Threatened" describes a species that is likely to become endangered, while "brink of extinction" suggests a more immediate and severe risk. A threatened species may have a declining population, but one on the "brink of extinction" is facing imminent disappearance.