on the point of

USAGE SUMMARY

"on the point of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is on the verge of happening or is about to happen. For example, "I was on the point of leaving when she arrived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Balance one matchstick on the point of the other.

WikiHow

So let me take one last swing on the point of imagination.

Forbes

Depending on the point of view, one may or may not be disturbed by this fact.

The New York Times - Books

The Confederate bureaucracy was on the point of closing it.

The Washington Post

I was on the point of quitting for years".

The New Yorker

Our driver is on the point of exploding.

The Guardian

I was on the point of burning it".

The New York Times

7 Concentrate your narrative energy on the point of change.

The Guardian - Books

How much depended on the point of view!

The New Yorker

We see it on the point of nuzzling her shoulder.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Focus was set on the Point-of-Care Testing (PoC).

Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the point of" to create a sense of anticipation or immediacy in your writing. It's particularly effective when describing situations that are about to change or reach a critical stage.

Common error

Avoid using "on the point of" when you simply mean something is possible or likely, but not imminent. The phrase strongly suggests something is about to occur very soon.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the point of" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating that an event or action is imminent or about to occur. As confirmed by Ludwig, it correctly suggests something is on the verge of happening.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on the point of" is a prepositional phrase used to convey that something is about to happen. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, as well as in scientific and general contexts, indicating its versatility. It is crucial to use "on the point of" only when describing truly imminent events to avoid misinterpretations. Related phrases include "about to" and "on the verge of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

about to

Direct synonym; conveys immediate imminence.

on the verge of

Indicates a state just before something happens.

on the brink of

Highlights a critical threshold just before an event.

close to

Suggests near proximity to an event or state.

on the cusp of

Suggests being at a transitional moment.

nearing

Emphasizes the process of approaching a specific point.

approaching

Focuses on the act of getting closer to a particular moment or situation.

at the threshold of

Similar to 'on the brink', indicating an imminent transition.

ready to

Implies preparedness and imminence.

in the process of

Highlights that an event is actively underway and nearing completion.

FAQs

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

Use "on the point of" to indicate that something is about to happen. For example, "The company was "on the point of" bankruptcy before the new investment arrived".

What are some alternatives to "on the point of"?

You can use alternatives like "about to", "on the verge of", or "close to" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "on the point to" instead of "on the point of"?

No, the correct phrase is ""on the point of"". Using "to" instead of "of" is grammatically incorrect.

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

While both phrases indicate imminence, ""on the point of"" often suggests a more critical or decisive moment compared to the simpler "about to".