on the verge

USAGE SUMMARY

"on the verge" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a situation that is close to happening or almost certain to happen. For example, "He was on the verge of tears when he heard the news of his friend's death."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

More than one person was on the verge of tears.

The New Yorker

She stayed on the verge".

The New York Times - Books

It was on the verge of cohering.

The New York Times

It's on the verge of insanity.

The New Yorker

Arthur seemed on the verge of resurrection.

The New York Times

You're on the verge of despair.

The New Yorker

Everything these days was on the verge.

The New Yorker

ALBANIA is on the verge of madness.

The Economist

Is Altidore on the verge of stardom?

The New York Times

We're on the verge of horror.

The New Yorker

Sotomayor is on the verge of confirmation.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the verge" to create a sense of anticipation or impending change. It's effective for highlighting moments of transition or crucial turning points.

Common error

Avoid using "on the verge" to describe events that have already occurred. This phrase indicates an action or state that is about to happen, not one that has already passed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the verge" functions as a prepositional phrase typically modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates a state of being very close to experiencing or achieving something, as Ludwig AI explains. Ludwig's examples show it describing imminent events, emotions, or states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on the verge" is a common and versatile prepositional phrase used to express the imminence of an event, action, or state. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage. Analysis of numerous examples reveals its prevalence in news and media, as well as academic contexts. While semantically similar alternatives like "about to" or "on the brink of" exist, "on the verge" maintains a neutral register suitable for a wide range of writing. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects an impending occurrence rather than a completed one.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the brink of

Similar to "on the verge", but suggests a more precarious or critical situation.

on the cusp of

Suggests a transition between two states or conditions.

about to

Indicates immediate future action; a more direct synonym.

at the point of

Highlights the specific moment or stage before something happens.

close to

A simpler way to express proximity to a state or event.

within reach of

Emphasizes the attainability or possibility of something happening.

nearing

Implies a gradual approach to a specific point or condition.

approaching

Similar to 'nearing', but can also refer to abstract concepts or events.

ready to

Implies preparedness and imminence of action.

in the process of

Describes an action that is currently underway and nearing completion.

FAQs

How to use "on the verge" in a sentence?

Use "on the verge" to indicate that something is about to happen or is very likely to happen soon. For example, "The company is on the verge of bankruptcy" or "She was on the verge of tears when she heard the news."

What can I say instead of "on the verge"?

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

Which is correct, "on the verge of" or "on the verge to"?

"On the verge of" is the correct and idiomatic expression. "On the verge to" is grammatically incorrect.

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

While similar, "on the brink of" often implies a more dangerous or critical situation than "on the verge of". Both phrases indicate something is about to happen, but "on the brink of" suggests higher stakes.