brink of river

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'brink of river' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the edge of a river, typically the part just before the water begins. For example, "We stopped on the brink of the river to take in the beautiful view of the mountains."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fields described the moment: Here we stood on the brink of the river and still in the rebels' territory.

The New York Times

'Come on,' said he, and we followed down to the brink of the river, where we could hear the water madly dashing over the falls it had made for itself by piling up trees and other debris, which had become stationary permanently; then the gurgling deadly roar as it pursued its course brought to us another period of dread and terror.

The New York Times

The superstar architect's participation need not undermine the activist vision and community input that has brought the river's reinvention to the brink of reality.

Los Angeles Times

Toxic dumping has destroyed the river, driving the fish to the brink of extinction.

The Guardian

Police say the woman stood up and apparently lost her footing, falling into the river about 25 metres upstream from the brink of the falls.

Independent

But perhaps not since the 19th century, when showmen sent boatloads of animals over the brink, has the river been the stage for such a confluence of macabre acts as this summer.

The New York Times

Good news, Illinois river otters: You've rallied back from the brink of extinction.

Huffington Post

If you get him off the river for a conversation, Fox seems like a man on the brink of a big change.

Los Angeles Times

Marine biologists believe that the corvina and other fish rebounded from the brink of extinction largely as a result of periodic high flows that flushed through the mouth of the river.

Los Angeles Times

The brink of what?

The New Yorker

"They're on the brink of disaster.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brink of river" to poetically or dramatically emphasize a location right at the river's edge, often implying a precarious or transitional state. For more common use, prefer "riverbank" or "river's edge".

Common error

Avoid using "brink of river" in everyday contexts where simpler terms like "riverbank" or "river's edge" suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound unnatural or overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brink of river" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a location at the edge of a river. It modifies a noun or verb by specifying where something is situated in relation to the river. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is correct but less common than alternatives.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

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Academia

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Science

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Less common in

Formal & Business

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Encyclopedias

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Wiki

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "brink of river" is grammatically correct but infrequently used. Ludwig indicates that it’s better to replace it with alternative phrases. It describes a location at the edge of a river, often implying a sense of being at a crucial or transitional point. Common alternatives include "riverbank" and "river's edge". It is most commonly found in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts. While not incorrect, writers should be mindful of its less frequent usage and consider more common alternatives for clarity and naturalness. The absence of actual usage examples makes its analysis challenging, which Ludwig confirms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bank of the river

A more common and direct way of indicating the side of the river.

river's edge

Focuses on the boundary of the river.

verge of the river

Implies a point of transition or imminent action near the river.

riverbank

Specifies the land alongside the river.

riverside

Emphasizes the area near the river.

water's edge

Highlights the boundary between water and land, applicable to any body of water.

foreshore of the river

Focuses on the area between high and low water marks of the river.

edge of the watercourse

More formal and emphasizes the channel through which the water flows.

confines of the river

Refers to the limits and borders that define the river's space.

river's boundary

Highlights the limit or border defined by the river.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "brink of river" in a sentence?

The phrase "brink of river" can be used to describe a location at the edge of a river, often with a sense of danger or transition. For example, "They stood on the "brink of river", contemplating the crossing."

What is a more common way to say "brink of river"?

More common alternatives include "riverbank", "river's edge", or "riverside". These terms are less dramatic and more frequently used in everyday language.

Is "brink of river" grammatically correct?

Yes, "brink of river" is grammatically correct. However, its usage is less common compared to alternatives like "bank of the river" or "edge of the river".

What connotations does "brink of river" carry?

The phrase "brink of river" often carries a connotation of being on the edge of something significant or potentially dangerous. It's more dramatic than simply being near a river.