is bordering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is bordering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very close to or nearly reaching a certain state or condition. Example: "The situation is bordering on chaos, with tensions rising among the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is bordering on abuse.

The New York Times

Their offense is bordering on incoherent.

The New York Times - Sports

CARAMANICA: This is bordering on insanity.

The New York Times

It is bordering self harm".

The Guardian - Sport

It is bordering on the irresponsible".

The Guardian

He added, "The very fact that we're doing this is bordering on the surreal".

The New York Times

"At 2020, I'd have been C.E.O. for over 20 years — that is bordering on a problem".

The New York Times

His love for the game feels as if it is bordering on childlike innocence sometimes.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a nice place, but it is bordering on insane to fork out that much.

The Guardian - Money

The Crimson Tide's rival, Auburn, is bordering on being a top-25 team in Coach Gene Chizik's second season.

The New York Times

Ken Doherty, the 1997 champion, said: "I'm a friend of Peter's but taking that long is bordering on the ridiculous".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is bordering" to effectively convey that something is very close to reaching a certain state or condition, especially when emphasizing the near-transition or the delicate balance involved. For instance, "The company's financial situation is bordering on bankruptcy" creates a stronger sense of urgency than simply saying it is in trouble.

Common error

Avoid using "is bordering" when describing a simple similarity or comparison. The phrase implies a near-transition or extremity, so using it for mild similarities can weaken the impact and confuse the reader. For example, saying "This painting is bordering on beautiful" is less effective than "This painting is very beautiful" or "This painting is almost beautiful".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is bordering" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something is approaching a particular state or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests a state of nearness to a specific threshold or limit. The examples show it frequently describes situations nearing a negative or extreme state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is bordering" is a verb phrase used to indicate that something is very close to reaching a particular state or condition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is commonly found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, carrying a neutral register. Alternatives include "is verging on" and "is approaching". Use "is bordering" to add emphasis when conveying a near-transition, but avoid it for simple similarities. The phrase's high frequency and presence in authoritative sources demonstrate its established use in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is verging on

This phrase is nearly synonymous, suggesting that something is on the edge of becoming a particular state.

is on the brink of

Implies that something is at the very edge of a state, suggesting an imminent transition.

is approaching

Indicates that something is getting closer to a specific condition or state, implying a gradual progression.

is nearing

Similar to 'is approaching', but often used in more formal contexts to describe getting close to a limit or threshold.

is almost at

Indicates a high degree of proximity to a particular state, with a focus on nearness.

is tending toward

Suggests a direction or inclination towards a particular state, implying a less immediate transition.

is becoming close to

A more descriptive alternative indicating the diminishing distance to a specific condition or state.

is getting close to

Suggests a general sense of approaching something, not necessarily with the same intensity.

is approaching the level of

A more formal alternative that suggests the subject is about to reach some measurement.

is akin to

Indicates a similarity, suggesting something is similar to a particular condition.

FAQs

What does "is bordering" mean?

The phrase "is bordering" means that something is very close to being a particular thing or in a particular state. It suggests that the subject is near a threshold or limit.

How can I use "is bordering" in a sentence?

You can use "is bordering" to indicate that something is approaching a certain condition. For example: "His behavior "is bordering on rude"".

What can I say instead of "is bordering"?

You can use alternatives like "is verging on", "is approaching", or "is nearing" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "is bordering" in formal writing?

Yes, "is bordering" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, although alternatives like "is verging on" may be more appropriate in very formal contexts.