it verges on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it verges on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is close to or nearly reaches a particular state or quality, often with a hint of disapproval or caution. Example: "His behavior verges on unacceptable, as it often crosses the line of professionalism."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It verges on criminal as do most of their actions (well, many cross the line easily).

Huffington Post

When it is asked to actually pay for its expenditures, it verges on hysteria.

The New York Times

It's so all-American, so earnest in its efforts not to offend anyone, that it verges on boring.

Huffington Post

Sometimes it verges on farce.

The Economist

In Thailand it verges on the impossible.

The Economist

It verges on torture, right?

The New Yorker

In places, it verges on schmaltzy mysticism.

The Guardian - Arts

But it verges on being unwatchably glum.

The New Yorker

It verges on Chuck Cunningham syndrome.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It verges on a kind of cruelty".

The New York Times

Politically and economically, it verges on being a failed state.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it verges on" when you want to express that something is close to becoming something else, often with a negative connotation. For example, "His behavior verges on harassment."

Common error

While "it verges on" is acceptable, overuse in formal contexts can make your writing sound repetitive. Try varying your language with alternatives like "it borders on" or "it approaches" for better stylistic flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it verges on" functions as a qualifier, indicating that something is approaching a certain state or condition, often with an implied negative or undesirable connotation. As confirmed by Ludwig, this expression effectively conveys the proximity to a specific quality without fully reaching it.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it verges on" is a versatile qualifier that suggests something is approaching a particular state, typically with a negative undertone. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and commonly used, lending a critical edge to observations. Predominantly found in news and media sources, as shown by Ludwig's examples, it serves to express subjective assessments and near-states in a concise and impactful manner. While the phrase carries a neutral register, awareness of potential overuse in formal contexts and readily available alternatives helps improve writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it borders on

This alternative suggests a more direct proximity to the state being described.

it verges upon

A slightly more formal and less common variation of the original phrase.

it approaches

This implies a movement towards a certain condition, without necessarily reaching it.

it nears

Similar to "it approaches", but may suggest a closer proximity.

it tends toward

This indicates a leaning or inclination in a particular direction.

it leans towards

Suggests an inclination or bias towards a particular state or characteristic.

it almost reaches

This emphasizes the near attainment of a specific condition.

it comes close to

Highlights the proximity to a certain state, implying a narrow miss.

it flirts with

This suggests a playful or tentative engagement with a particular idea or state.

it is akin to

Suggests a similarity to something without implying that it has reached that status.

FAQs

What does "it verges on" mean?

The phrase "it verges on" means that something is close to becoming or resembling something else. It often implies a negative or undesirable quality. For example, "His behavior verges on rudeness" means his behavior is close to being rude.

What can I say instead of "it verges on"?

You can use alternatives like "it borders on", "it approaches", or "it's close to" depending on the context.

Is "it verges on" formal or informal?

"It verges on" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal writing, although more formal alternatives like "it borders on" may be preferred in highly formal contexts.

How to use "it verges on" in a sentence?

Use "it verges on" to describe something that is nearing a particular state or quality, usually with a negative implication. For example: "The project's ambition verges on the unrealistic." or "His enthusiasm verges on obsession."