on the borderline

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the borderline" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, condition, or state that is at the edge or limit of two different categories or conditions. Example: "Her performance was on the borderline between acceptable and excellent, making it difficult for the judges to decide."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"This weeds out really bad applications so we can focus on the borderline ones, which take more time".

TechCrunch

Though no one queried it, I felt it was on the borderline of acceptability.

The Guardian

Gujarat hovers on the borderline at 0.96.

The New York Times

Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada could fall on the borderline.

The New York Times

So I'm on the borderline for that".

The Guardian - Sport

So much falls on the borderline of chaotic experience.

The New York Times - Arts

"It is on the borderline between journalism and history.

The New York Times - Books

This administration has acted on the borderline of criminal negligence in execution of the war.

The New York Times

Garnett has thrived on the borderline, and that's meant occasionally going over it.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a magical moment, on the borderline between animality and being human".

The Guardian - Books

The overwhelming mass of offences are minor and occur on the borderline of antisocial behaviour.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the borderline" to describe situations or conditions that lie close to a defined boundary, whether physical, conceptual, or qualitative. For instance, use it when evaluating performance that is nearly passing or failing, or to describe art that blends genres.

Common error

Avoid using "on the borderline" when a situation is clearly within one category or another. The phrase implies genuine ambiguity or near-equal qualification for two distinct states.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the borderline" typically functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a noun or verb to indicate that something is close to a certain limit or boundary. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on the borderline" is a versatile and grammatically sound prepositional phrase that indicates proximity to a limit or boundary. With a neutral register, as shown by Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and encyclopedic writing. The frequency of "on the borderline" across diverse sources underlines its widespread usage. Related phrases such as ""on the edge"" or ""verging on"" can offer similar semantic meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the edge

This phrase indicates a position at the very limit or brink of something.

verging on

This suggests that something is closely approaching a particular state or condition.

bordering on

Similar to 'verging on', this indicates closeness to a certain condition or quality.

on the cusp

Implies being at a transitional point between two states or conditions.

close to

A more general phrase indicating proximity, applicable in various contexts.

approaching

This term indicates movement towards a specific state or condition.

nearing

Similar to 'approaching', but can imply a shorter distance or time frame.

in the vicinity of

Indicates a state that is near a specific point or limit, but not necessarily touching it.

at the limit of

This phrase emphasizes reaching the maximum extent or boundary of something.

walking a tightrope

This is an idiomatic expression indicating a precarious situation, close to danger or failure.

FAQs

How can I use "on the borderline" in a sentence?

You can use "on the borderline" to describe something that is close to a limit or boundary. For example, "His grade was on the borderline between a B and a C".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "on the borderline"?

Similar phrases include "on the edge", "verging on", or "bordering on". These all suggest a state of being close to a certain condition.

Is it correct to say "on the borderline of" or just "on the borderline"?

Both are correct, but "on the borderline of" is typically followed by what the subject is bordering. "On the borderline" can stand alone when the context is clear.

How formal is the phrase "on the borderline"?

The phrase "on the borderline" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in news articles, scientific papers, and everyday conversation.