on the cusp

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the cusp" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe when something is about to happen or is in the process of changing. For example, you could say, "We are on the cusp of a breakthrough in brain research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He was on the cusp of 18.

The New York Times - Sports

On the cusp".

The New York Times - Sports

He knows he's right on the cusp.

The New York Times

"They're right on the cusp," he said.

The New York Times

"We're on the cusp of something".

The New York Times - Magazine

Everything is on the cusp of change.

The Guardian

Trivium are right on the cusp.

The Guardian - Music

We're on the cusp of massive change.

The Guardian - Tech

She hovers on the cusp of more.

The Guardian - Film

TiVo is on the cusp of profitability.

MIT Technology Review

And Patrick is on the cusp.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the cusp" to convey a sense of anticipation or transition, especially when discussing future trends or developments. For instance, "The company is on the cusp of launching a revolutionary new product".

Common error

Avoid using "on the cusp" to describe events that have already occurred or are ongoing. It is best suited for situations about to unfold. For example, don't say "The project was on the cusp of completion" if the project is already finished.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the cusp" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates that the subject is at a transitional point, just before entering a new state or experiencing a significant change. Ludwig confirms its correct usage across a broad range of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on the cusp" is a versatile and widely used prepositional phrase that signals imminence or transition. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and frequency across varied sources such as News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When writing, use "on the cusp" to effectively convey anticipation, being mindful to use it for situations that are about to unfold, rather than those already in progress. Alternatives like "on the verge of" or "at the brink of" can be used for similar meanings, but "on the cusp" remains a strong choice for emphasizing a poised and ready state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of

Indicates being very close to experiencing or achieving something.

on the point of

Similar to "on the verge", indicating nearness to an event.

at the brink of

Implies being on the edge of a significant or critical event.

on the threshold of

Indicates being at the entrance or starting point of something new.

nearing the point of

Suggests approaching a specific stage or condition.

approaching the threshold of

Highlights the act of getting closer to a limit or beginning.

at the dawn of

Evokes a sense of new beginnings and the start of something significant.

about to experience

Directly expresses the imminence of an event or change.

in the initial stages of

Highlights being in the early phases of a process or event.

on the horizon

Suggests something is coming closer but not immediately present.

FAQs

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

The phrase "on the cusp" is used to describe a state of transition or being very close to a significant event or change. For example, you might say, "The industry is "on the cusp of a revolution"" or "She is "on the cusp of adulthood"".

What phrases are similar to "on the cusp"?

Similar phrases include "on the verge of", "at the brink of", and "on the threshold of". These alternatives all suggest being very close to a significant change or event.

Is it correct to say "on the cusp of" followed by a verb?

Yes, it's grammatically correct to follow "on the cusp of" with a gerund (the -ing form of a verb). For example, "We are "on the cusp of launching" a new product" is correct.

What's the difference between "on the cusp of" and "in the midst of"?

"On the cusp of" indicates that something is about to happen or is in the early stages, whereas "in the midst of" means something is currently happening or is in progress. For example, you're "on the cusp of a breakthrough" before it happens, but you're "in the midst of a crisis" while it's happening.