on the edge of

USAGE SUMMARY

"on the edge of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a situation in which one is close to achieving or experiencing something. For example, "The team was on the edge of victory, but ended up losing the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

On the edge of extinction, she blazes.

The New York Times

On the edge of a northern sea.

Independent

I hang on the edge of hunger.

The New Yorker

Again, dancing on the edge of reality.

The New York Times

On the edge of society".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"They're often on the edge of madness.

The New York Times

I live on the edge of hunger.

The New York Times - Magazine

Grove was on the edge of bankruptcy.

The New Yorker

On the edge of soft, rotten decay?

The New York Times - Magazine

We're on the edge of that".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Teetering-on-the-edge-of-solidification old. .

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the edge of" to create a sense of anticipation or precariousness, whether referring to physical locations, emotional states, or impending events. For instance, "The company was on the edge of bankruptcy" conveys a more dramatic situation than simply saying the company had financial difficulties.

Common error

Avoid using "on the edge of" when a more direct and simple preposition like 'near' or 'beside' would suffice. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact, especially in contexts where the sense of danger or imminence isn't truly present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the edge of" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying nouns or clauses. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use to describe locations, states of being, or impending events. The structure creates a sense of proximity or transition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on the edge of" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase that conveys nearness to a boundary or threshold. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct, and it is employed across a variety of contexts, most frequently in news and media. While generally appropriate for diverse writing styles, it's important to consider more precise language in highly formal settings to prevent overuse. Consider alternatives like "on the brink of" or "close to" for nuanced expression. The many examples shown in Ludwig demonstrate its adaptable nature and wide applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the brink of

Implies being very close to a significant event or change, often negative.

on the verge of

Similar to 'on the brink of', suggesting nearness to a specific state or occurrence.

bordering on

Indicates a state that is very close to being something else, often used for abstract qualities.

close to

A more general phrase indicating physical or metaphorical nearness.

near the limit of

Emphasizes approaching a maximum or critical point.

at the periphery of

Suggests being on the outer boundary or less central part of something.

in proximity to

A more formal way of indicating nearness in space or time.

approaching

Focuses on the action of getting closer to a specific point or condition.

nearing

Similar to 'approaching', but can also convey a sense of time passing.

on the fringes of

Implies being on the outer, less defined parts of something, often a group or area.

FAQs

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

You can use "on the edge of" to describe a physical location, like "The house is on the edge of the forest", or a state of being, such as "She was on the edge of tears".

What's the difference between "on the edge of" and "on the brink of"?

"On the edge of" often implies a physical location or a state that could go either way, while "on the brink of" usually suggests that something significant and often negative is about to happen.

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

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "close to", "near", "bordering on", or "at the periphery of".

Is it always appropriate to use "on the edge of" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the tone and context. In some formal situations, a more precise or literal description might be preferable. For example, instead of "The company was on the edge of collapse", you might write "The company faced imminent bankruptcy".