brink of mass

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brink of mass" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe a critical point or threshold related to mass, but without additional context, it is unclear when to use it. Example: "The experiment was conducted at the brink of mass, where the reactions began to accelerate dramatically."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

India was on the brink of mass famine.

The Economist

A DECADE after a famine killed 500,000-1m people in North Korea, recent news from the benighted country suggests it is once again on the brink of mass starvation.

The Economist

The demonstrations, and the violent reaction they have provoked from the country's security forces, have heightened tensions in a country that has been teetering on the brink of mass unrest for two years.

The New York Times

At the same time, renewable energy sources, like the sun and the wind, still glimmer as the great alternatives -- clean, abundant and on the brink of mass production in a future that always seems around the corner yet perpetually out of reach.

The New York Times - Science

The UN is seeking $863 million in emergency humanitarian aid for Somalia, where catastrophic drought has put the country on the brink of mass starvation and total collapse.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Civil war in Angola and Sudan and drought in Eritrea mean that Africa is on the brink of another mass famine like the one that swept Ethiopia in the early 1980s.

Forbes

Civil war in Angola and Sudan and drought in Eritrea mean that the continent is on the brink of another mass famine like the one that swept Ethiopia in the early 1980s.

Forbes

"We might be on the brink of a mass extinction, but we can still avoid it!" Williams said.

Huffington Post

"We might be on the brink of a mass extinction, but we can still avoid it," Mark Williams, a paleobiology professor at England's University of Leicester, told HuffPost in December.

Huffington Post

The 2CV, like the German Volkswagen Bug and the American Model T Ford, was designed as a car for a country on the brink of becoming a mass market for automobiles, and the French responded.

The New York Times - Travel

Earth's creatures are on the brink of a sixth mass extinction, comparable to the one that wiped out the dinosaurs.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation nearing a critical level related to mass, ensure the context is clear. Consider alternatives like "approaching a critical mass" or "nearing the threshold of mass" for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "brink of mass" when referring to a general state of being close to something significant without a clear connection to the concept of "mass". Use more appropriate terms like "edge of collapse" or "verge of disaster" if "mass" is not directly relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brink of mass" functions as a noun phrase, attempting to describe a state of being close to achieving a significant quantity or level related to "mass". However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrase is not grammatically correct and may require additional context to be understood.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brink of mass" is an uncommon and potentially unclear expression, as Ludwig AI suggests. It attempts to convey the idea of being on the verge of reaching a significant quantity or level, particularly related to the concept of "mass". However, it is advisable to use clearer alternatives like "approaching a critical mass" or "nearing the threshold of mass" to avoid ambiguity. The phrase appears primarily in news and media contexts, but its grammatical correctness is questionable, making precise language choices essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

verge of mass

Replaces "brink" with "verge", maintaining a similar meaning of being on the edge of something significant.

edge of mass

Substitutes "brink" with "edge", offering a slightly more literal interpretation of nearness.

threshold of mass

Replaces "brink" with "threshold", focusing on the point at which a significant change occurs.

cusp of mass

Substitutes "brink" with "cusp", implying a transitional phase related to mass.

point of mass

Uses "point" instead of "brink", indicating a specific moment related to mass.

approaching mass

Shifts from a static location to a dynamic process of moving toward a state of mass.

nearing mass

Similar to "approaching mass", emphasizing the act of getting closer to mass.

close to mass

A simpler, more direct way of saying something is nearly at the state of mass.

on the horizon of mass

Introduces a sense of anticipation, suggesting mass is an event about to happen.

about to reach mass

Emphasizes the imminence of achieving a state of mass.

FAQs

What does "brink of mass" mean?

The phrase "brink of mass" is not a standard English expression and its meaning is unclear without context. It may refer to approaching a significant amount or level, but it's best to use more precise language.

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

While not recommended due to its ambiguity, if you must use it, ensure the context makes the meaning clear. For example: "The experiment was conducted at the "threshold of mass", where the reactions began to accelerate dramatically."

What can I say instead of "brink of mass"?

Consider alternatives like "verge of mass", "edge of mass", or "threshold of mass" depending on the intended meaning. These phrases are clearer and more commonly used.

Is "brink of mass" grammatically correct?

Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is "not correct" and does not convey a clear meaning in written English. It's advisable to use alternative expressions for better clarity and grammatical accuracy.