that is borderline

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that is borderline" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is on the edge of acceptability or appropriateness, often in a negative context. Example: "The behavior he exhibited during the meeting was that is borderline unprofessional."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"They are able to really help break a band that is borderline but not quite there".

The New York Times

For politicians and financiers, marginal means land that is borderline for modern agriculture.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even with the surgery, and even maintaining a weight that is borderline obese (at least according to the government definition; Janet weighs 180 pounds, plus or minus 15, meaning her body-mass index hovers around the magic number of 30), she can never enjoy food with complete and carefree abandon.

The New York Times - Magazine

Those who hold them also share an aversion to onshore wind turbines, one of Britain's cheapest forms of renewable power, that is borderline obsessive.A more potent challenge comes from George Osborne, the chancellor of the exchequer, who worries, as is his function, about the costs of the green policies he once espoused.

The Economist

Three of the DSM-IV Axis II disorders, that is, borderline personality, schizotypal and avoidant personality, showed significantly increased risk for wave 2 SRO.

BMJ Open

Mycobacterium setuense was used as an outgroup because it is a species that is borderline to the slow-growing mycobacteria (8 ).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"We've had kids that were borderline enrollees, guys that didn't do great.

The New Yorker

"It was not even something that was borderline significant," Dr. Lobo said.

The New York Times - Health

"If I looked at a place that was borderline, I took them along to help make the decision," he recalled.

The New York Times

He was dressed like an unkempt graduate student, uncaring of tailoring considerations of any sort, wearing a hip-length black mackinaw-type coat that was borderline shabby.

MIT Technology Review

Over the next hour and a half, it slowly emerged that the ONS was not the only statistical agency that was borderline incompetent.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that is borderline" to express that something is close to exceeding a limit of acceptability or appropriateness, often implying a negative judgment or concern.

Common error

While "that is borderline" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can weaken your argument. Consider stronger, more precise alternatives to convey your intended meaning more effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that is borderline" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a subject to indicate its proximity to a specified boundary or limit. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that is borderline" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe something nearing a limit of acceptability or appropriateness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While versatile across contexts like news and media, science, and formal settings, it's less common in highly formal or academic writing, where more precise language may be preferred. When writing, consider whether a stronger, more direct alternative would better convey your meaning. "That is borderline" is often employed to express concern or reservation, indicating that something is close to being out of bounds.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's almost unacceptable

Emphasizes proximity to being unacceptable.

it's verging on inappropriate

Uses "verging on" to indicate approaching inappropriateness.

it's on the edge of acceptable

Uses "on the edge" to describe being near the limit of acceptability.

it's nearly unacceptable

Replaces "that is borderline" with a direct assessment of acceptability.

it's close to being out of line

Replaces "borderline" with "out of line" to emphasize the breach of standards.

it pushes the limits

Uses "pushes the limits" to suggest approaching or testing boundaries.

it approaches being unacceptable

Formal alternative using "approaches" to convey nearing unacceptability.

it's toeing the line

Implies getting close to prohibited behavior.

it skirts the boundaries of acceptability

Suggests narrowly avoiding being unacceptable.

it's just about tolerable

Conveys minimal acceptability.

FAQs

How can I use "that is borderline" in a sentence?

You can use "that is borderline" to describe something close to being unacceptable, inappropriate, or questionable. For example, "The behavior he displayed at the meeting "that is borderline" unprofessional".

What are some alternatives to "that is borderline"?

Alternatives include "it's nearly unacceptable", "it's verging on inappropriate", or "it's almost unacceptable", depending on the context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "that is borderline" too informal for academic writing?

While not strictly incorrect, "that is borderline" can sound less formal than desired in academic writing. Consider more precise and objective alternatives such as "approaches being unacceptable" or "skirts the boundaries of acceptability".

What does it mean when something is described as "that is borderline"?

It means something is close to exceeding a defined limit or standard, often implying that it is nearly unacceptable or inappropriate. The exact meaning depends on the context in which ""that is borderline"" is used.