the threshold of adulthood

USAGE SUMMARY

"the threshold of adulthood" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe the transition or point at which someone is considered an adult. Example: "At 18, she felt she was finally crossing the threshold of adulthood." Alternative expressions include "the brink of adulthood" and "the cusp of adulthood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

This is a liminal king, caught on the threshold of adulthood.

The Guardian

In the past, people in their teens played responsible roles in the society and were on the threshold of adulthood.

The New York Times

Rineke Dijkstra's "Beach Portraits" of adolescents posing awkwardly against stark seascape horizons are isolated (and isolating) images of children on the threshold of adulthood.

The New York Times - Arts

The kids all look their age, still cute but on the threshold of adulthood, and the pictures startle as they linger on this transitional moment.

The New Yorker

He was further dismayed to discover that his charges were an unruly, disruptive group of 15-year-olds who stood cockily on the threshold of adulthood.

The Guardian - Books

You might also have hoped for a bit of insight into life on the threshold of adulthood in today's fretful Britain.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

This person has indulged in smoking the marijuana herb in his youth, but upon the threshold of maturing adulthood gave it up for the sake of responsibilities.

Huffington Post

It shares similar ground with The Fault in Our Stars: the confusingly intense threshold of adulthood, full of lust, romance, gauche statements and mad idealism.

The Guardian - Film

It is essential, she says, that parents 'see helping their daughters and sons across the threshold to adulthood as their responsibility'.

The Guardian

CONCLUSIONS:Higher intraindividual FG variability during young adulthood below the threshold of diabetes was associated with worse processing speed, memory, and language fluency in midlife independent of FG levels.

Duke University

OBJECTIVE To determine whether intraindividual variability in fasting glucose (FG) below the threshold of diabetes is associated with cognitive function in middle adulthood beyond increasing FG.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with evocative adjectives like "liminal", "confusing" or "unsteady" to deepen the descriptive impact.

Common error

Avoid using "the threshold of adulthood" when you strictly mean the legal 'age of majority'. The phrase carries a metaphorical weight that implies emotional and developmental growth rather than just a legal status. For technical legal documents, prefer terms like "legal adulthood" or "age of nineteen".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the threshold of adulthood" functions as a complex noun phrase consisting of a head noun followed by a prepositional phrase modifier. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often serves as the object of a preposition (e.g., "on the threshold of adulthood") to establish a spatial-metaphorical setting for the subject's developmental status.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "the threshold of adulthood" is a highly effective linguistic tool for describing the delicate transition from adolescence to maturity. According to Ludwig AI, it is a grammatically correct and versatile expression widely utilized in elite journalism and scientific research. It successfully blends poetic imagery with psychological precision, making it far more evocative than literal terms like "becoming an adult". Whether you are writing a feature story for a magazine or a sociological report, this phrase communicates a sense of significant change and potential. To maximize its impact, writers should consider synonyms like "the cusp of adulthood" for variety, while ensuring the context warrants the metaphorical weight that "threshold" provides. Overall, it remains a staple of high-quality English prose for describing one of life's most pivotal stages.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the verge of adulthood

Suggests an immediate, almost precarious proximity to the transition.

the cusp of adulthood

Implies a specific point of transition or a peak moment before the change.

the brink of adulthood

Conveys a sense of drama or urgency, as if standing at a significant drop or change.

the edge of adulthood

Focuses on the boundary line between two distinct life stages.

the doorstep of adulthood

A welcoming metaphor suggesting one is ready to enter a new 'home' or phase.

emerging adulthood

A more technical or sociological term for the developmental period from 18 to 25.

the transition into adulthood

A literal and descriptive phrase focusing on the process rather than the point.

coming of age

A classic idiomatic expression often used in literary and film contexts.

the dawn of adulthood

Poetic metaphor emphasizing the new beginning and potential of the life stage.

reaching maturity

Focuses on the end result of the process rather than the boundary period.

FAQs

How do I use "the threshold of adulthood" in a sentence?

You can use it as a noun phrase to describe a state of being. For example: "At eighteen, many students find themselves standing on the threshold of adulthood."

What is the difference between "the threshold of adulthood" and "the verge of adulthood"?

While both are similar, "the verge of adulthood" often implies a more immediate or impending change, whereas "threshold" emphasizes the boundary or entrance into the new phase.

Is "the threshold of adulthood" considered formal?

Yes, it is a sophisticated phrase suitable for academic writing, journalism and formal literature, as evidenced by its frequent use in The New Yorker and academic journals.

Can I say "the cusp of adulthood" instead?

Yes, "the cusp of adulthood" is a perfectly interchangeable synonym that is widely accepted in professional writing.