verge of closing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "verge of closing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is about to close or come to an end, often referring to a business or opportunity. Example: "The store is on the verge of closing for the night, so please make your final purchases."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Others are on the verge of closing.

The Guardian

She had been on the verge of closing the shop.

The New York Times

A number have been on the verge of closing.

The New York Times

Hathaway was on the verge of closing five years ago.

The New York Times

A decade ago, the Mount Kisco Hebrew Congregation was on the verge of closing.

The New York Times

Despite that, their Italian restaurant is on the verge of closing.

The New York Times

The rink, Main Street Arena in Charlottesville, Va., where he had coached the team, was on the verge of closing.

The New York Times

Hialeah Park is on the verge of closing forever and Gulfstream proved unable to carry the winter on its own.

The New York Times - Sports

Within a few weeks, the new hall was $5.5 million in debt and on the verge of closing.

The New York Times - Arts

The firm is reportedly on the verge of closing its fifth investment fund at about $14 billion.

The New York Times

SURFLIGHT THEATER Another comeback tale: A few months ago Surflight was on the verge of closing, but an appeal for money seems to have worked.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "verge of closing" to convey a sense of urgency or imminence regarding a potential shutdown or termination. For a stronger impact, combine it with specific details about the entity at risk, such as "The local library is on the verge of closing due to budget cuts."

Common error

Avoid using "verge of closing" when the closure has already happened. Instead, describe it as "having closed" or "shut down". The phrase implies a possibility that still exists, which is inaccurate if the action is complete.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "verge of closing" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used to modify a noun or verb. It describes the state of something being close to shutting down or terminating, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "verge of closing" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is on the brink of shutting down. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely employed in news, media, and academic contexts to convey a sense of urgency and potential finality. When using this phrase, be mindful of the context and avoid using it when the closure has already occurred. Instead, opt for alternatives like "on the brink of closure" or "about to close" depending on the degree of certainty you wish to communicate. Overall, "verge of closing" is a versatile and effective phrase for describing precarious situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the brink of closure

Replaces "verge" with "brink", emphasizing the imminence of closure.

nearing its end

Focuses on the end stage, removing the specific term 'closing'.

facing imminent shutdown

Emphasizes the unavoidable nature of the closing.

about to shut down

Uses a more informal term "shut down" instead of closing.

on the point of terminating

Replaces "closing" with "terminating", giving it a more formal tone.

close to collapsing

Shifts the focus to a more dramatic failure scenario.

on the edge of ceasing operations

Formal alternative, using "ceasing operations" instead of closing.

drawing to a close

A more figurative way of expressing the nearing of the end.

at the tail end

Refers to the final part of something, using a less direct metaphor.

coming to a halt

Implies a stop of activity instead of explicit closing.

FAQs

How can I use "verge of closing" in a sentence?

You can use "verge of closing" to describe a situation that is very close to ending or shutting down. For example: "The company is on the verge of closing due to financial difficulties".

What is a more formal alternative to "verge of closing"?

A more formal alternative could be "on the brink of closure" or "facing imminent shutdown". These phrases maintain a professional tone while conveying the same meaning.

What does it mean when something is described as being on the "verge of closing"?

It means that the entity in question (e.g. a business, organization, or opportunity) is very close to shutting down or ceasing operations. It suggests a high probability of closure unless intervention occurs.

Is "verge of closing" the same as "about to close"?

While similar, "verge of closing" implies a more precarious situation than "about to close". "Verge of closing" often suggests the possibility of averting the closure, whereas "about to close" can simply refer to a scheduled event like a store closing for the night.