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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

driven to the brink
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Alternative expressions(9)

nearing collapse

at the breaking point

pushed to the brink

driven to the hotel

driven to the hospital

pushed over a cliff

being bullied to the edge

bullied into submission

pushed to the limit

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bees are being driven to the brink.

News & Media

The Guardian

Mine is from a woman being driven to the brink by her neighbor's barking dogs.

News & Media

The New York Times

Small wonder that Mr. Crouch's character is driven to the brink of suicide by hanging.

News & Media

The New York Times

Many other plant species and competing animals have been driven to the brink of extinction by the rabbits' unstoppable appetite.

Academia

Columbia University

Since its inception, the booming economy has tanked, and the world has been driven to the brink of war.

News & Media

The New York Times - Magazine

Sovereignty is no small matter to the Mohegans and Pequots, two tribes driven to the brink of extinction, he said.

News & Media

The New York Times

Ms. Lemper played the vamp prowling under a full moon, driven to the brink of madness, yet in complete control.

News & Media

The New York Times - Arts

Everyone loves a panda…they might be the kitschiest animal humanity has driven to the brink of extinction yet.

Encyclopedias

Britannica

Midlife, he had been driven to the brink of bankruptcy, almost losing his clothing store and his home.

News & Media

The New York Times

RED WOLF (Canis rufus) Driven to the brink by overhunting and habitat fragmentation, this wolf has a wild population of about 100 in northeastern North Carolina.

News & Media

The New York Times - Travel

While public opinion was primarily concerned about the huge cost of her legal proceedings, Lawrence experienced it as an ordeal and was driven to the brink of resignation.

Encyclopedias

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "driven to the brink" to illustrate a situation where something or someone is very close to a negative outcome, such as failure, collapse, or ruin. Ensure the context clearly establishes the factors leading to this precarious state.

Common error

Avoid using "driven to the brink" when you intend to describe active actions. This phrase denotes a passive state, meaning an external force is causing the entity to approach a critical point.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "driven to the brink" functions as a descriptive phrase, often used to indicate that a person, entity, or situation is close to a critical or catastrophic point. As shown by Ludwig, this can range from financial ruin to emotional distress, portraying a state of extreme vulnerability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

12%

Academia

Less common in

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "driven to the brink" is a commonly used expression to describe situations nearing a critical or catastrophic point. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage in varied contexts, particularly in News & Media and Encyclopedias. The phrase carries a neutral to formal tone, serving to highlight urgency and severity. When using this phrase, it's important to understand its passive nature, ensuring that the described entity is indeed acted upon by external forces, bringing it close to collapse or failure.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pushed to the edge

Focuses on the action of pushing, suggesting external forces causing the near collapse.

brought to the verge

Emphasizes the final point before a negative outcome is reached.

nearing collapse

Highlights the process of something falling apart, rather than an action done to it.

on the verge of ruin

Stresses the impending destruction or failure.

close to disaster

Focuses on the imminence of a calamitous event.

at the breaking point

Highlights the threshold where something or someone can no longer withstand pressure.

on the edge of oblivion

Emphasizes the potential for complete disappearance or destruction.

facing collapse

Highlights the act of confronting an impending breakdown.

on the precipice

Uses a metaphor to convey the dangerous proximity to a critical event.

near the point of no return

Implies a situation where the consequences are irreversible.

FAQs

How can I use "driven to the brink" in a sentence?

The phrase "driven to the brink" is used to describe a situation where something or someone has been brought very close to a negative outcome or critical state. For example, "The company was "driven to the brink" of bankruptcy due to poor financial decisions."

What's a more formal alternative to "driven to the brink"?

In a more formal context, you might use phrases such as "brought to the verge" or "nearing collapse" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Can "driven to the brink" be used to describe a positive situation?

No, "driven to the brink" typically describes a negative situation, suggesting a state of near failure, collapse, or extreme pressure. It's not appropriate for positive contexts.

What is the difference between "pushed to the edge" and "driven to the brink"?

While both phrases suggest a state of extreme pressure, "pushed to the edge" often implies a more active and direct external force, whereas "driven to the brink" can suggest a more gradual process or a combination of factors leading to the critical state.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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driven to the brinkGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

driven to the brink
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples