on the verge of going

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the verge of going" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is very close to a particular action or state, often implying an imminent change or event. Example: "She was on the verge of going home when she received the unexpected news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr Reid said in a television interview that he had heard that a major insurer, "one with a name that everyone knows," was on the verge of going bankrupt.

The New York Times

companies or companies on the verge of going public.

The New York Times

Portsmouth are on the verge of going under.

Independent

E-book hardware is on the verge of going mainstream.

The New York Times

Now the business is on the verge of going away".

The New York Times

I work for a small retail company that is on the verge of going under.

The New York Times - Magazine

At various points, her campaign has been on the verge of going broke.

The New Yorker

Acting that way is why the earth is on the verge of going out of business.

The New Yorker

But basically she looks like a robot from Westworld that's on the verge of going haywire.

The Guardian - Film

One of Gemma's sons has schizophrenia, and was on the verge of going into care.

The Guardian

This year they are on the verge of going out at the same stage.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using a stronger verb for greater impact if appropriate. Instead of "on the verge of going," use "nearing", "approaching" or "threatening".

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "on the verge of going" in close proximity. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "about to happen" or "on the brink of" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the verge of going" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It typically describes a state or situation that is very close to transitioning into another. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase effectively conveys imminence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on the verge of going" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is close to happening. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's widely used in news, media, and scientific contexts to express imminence. To prevent repetitive use, consider alternatives like "about to happen" or "on the brink of". This phrase is a versatile tool for conveying anticipation and transition in various forms of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the brink of

Similar to "on the verge of going", but it emphasizes the precariousness or critical nature of the situation.

on the cusp of

Similar to "on the verge of going", but it can also imply a positive or opportune moment.

on the point of

Indicates that something is so close to happening that it is almost inevitable.

about to happen

Focuses on the imminence of an event without necessarily implying a process or transition.

just about to

A more informal and direct way of saying that something is about to happen immediately.

close to occurring

A more formal way of expressing that something is about to happen, suitable for technical or professional contexts.

nearing the point of

Emphasizes the progression towards a specific state or event, highlighting the proximity to that point.

at the threshold of

Suggests being at the entry point or beginning of a significant change or event.

approaching the moment of

Highlights the gradual approach to a significant event or decision.

in sight of

Indicates that a goal or event is within reach, close enough to be seen or anticipated.

FAQs

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

Use "on the verge of going" to describe something that is very close to happening or transitioning to a new state. For example, "The peace talks are on the verge of going sour."

What are some alternatives to "on the verge of going"?

You can use alternatives like "about to happen", "on the brink of", or "nearing the point of" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "on the verge to go" instead of "on the verge of going"?

No, "on the verge to go" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "on the verge of going", where "of" is a preposition and is followed by the gerund form of the verb.

What's the difference between "on the verge of going" and "about to go"?

"On the verge of going" implies a process or state of near transition, while "about to go" suggests immediate action or occurrence. "The company is on the verge of going bankrupt" suggests a process, while "I am about to go to the store" indicates an immediate action.