on the cusp of

USAGE SUMMARY

"on the cusp of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a time just before something important occurs, either positively or negatively. For example, "The new president is on the cusp of a historic change in policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He was on the cusp of 18.

The New York Times - Sports

"We're on the cusp of something".

The New York Times - Magazine

Everything is on the cusp of change.

The Guardian

We're on the cusp of massive change.

The Guardian - Tech

She hovers on the cusp of more.

The Guardian - Film

Jack and Fiona are on the cusp of 60.

The Guardian - Books

We are on the cusp of true energy democracy.

The Guardian

Everyone in his generation was on the cusp of something.

The New York Times

Other Democrats were on the cusp of defeat.

The New York Times

Dyson appears to be on the cusp of major expansion.

The Guardian - Tech

MW: We're just on the cusp of the civil war.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the cusp of" to indicate a transitional period where significant change is imminent, whether positive or negative. For example, "The company is on the cusp of a major breakthrough."

Common error

Don't use "on the cusp of" if the change is distant or uncertain. This phrase implies a high likelihood of the event occurring soon, so ensure the context reflects this imminence.

How to use

Learn how to use "on the cusp of" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the cusp of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that something is at a transitional point just before a significant change or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on the cusp of" is a prepositional phrase used to denote a state of transition or nearness to a significant event, whether positive or negative. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating its versatility in describing impending changes. Alternatives include "on the verge of" and "on the brink of", offering nuances in meaning. When using this phrase, ensure the context reflects the imminence of the described event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of

Indicates being very close to experiencing something, often implying imminence but can be negative

on the point of

Implies being at the precise moment before something happens, highlighting the immediacy.

on the brink of

Implies a critical or decisive point, often suggesting potential danger or a significant turning point.

on the threshold of

Suggests entering a new phase or beginning, highlighting the transition from one state to another.

about to

Indicates immediate future action or occurrence, emphasizing the short time frame.

approaching

A more general term indicating movement towards something, without necessarily implying immediacy.

nearing

Similar to 'approaching' but suggests getting closer to a specific point or time.

just around the corner

Emphasizes the nearness and imminence of an event or change, often in a positive or anticipatory way.

in the offing

Suggests that something is likely to happen or appear soon.

in sight

Indicates that a goal or event is visible or attainable, suggesting progress towards it.

FAQs

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

Use "on the cusp of" to describe a state of transition or nearness to a significant event or change. For example, "The project is "on the cusp of" completion".

What are some alternatives to saying "on the cusp of"?

You can use alternatives such as "on the verge of", "on the brink of", or "on the threshold of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "on the cusp of" for negative situations?

Yes, "on the cusp of" can be used for both positive and negative situations. For example, "The company is "on the cusp of" bankruptcy".

What's the difference between "on the cusp of" and "about to"?

"On the cusp of" implies a transitional state leading to a significant change, while "about to" indicates immediate future action. "The team is "on the cusp of" winning the championship" suggests they are in the final stages, while "The game is about to start" indicates it will begin very soon.