verge of falling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "verge of falling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is on the brink or edge of collapsing or failing. Example: "The old building was on the verge of falling, prompting the city to issue an evacuation order."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ansari: Everything is on the verge of falling down.

MIT Technology Review

The Giants were trailing by 4 points and on the verge of falling further behind.

The New York Times - Sports

Part of the exterior appears to be on the verge of falling off.

The New York Times

The Browns (7-6) were on the verge of falling far back in the A.F.C.

The New York Times - Sports

If it sometimes seems to be on the verge of falling apart, that's the point.

The New York Times

Housing prices are already on the verge of falling through the floor established in the spring of 2009.

The New York Times

As seen in the video above, many houses are on the verge of falling into the sea.

Independent

The building, formerly an Italian joint called Nino's, was "on the verge of falling down," he said.

The New York Times - Travel

Enough, apparently, to be on the verge of falling back into third place among the cable news networks.

The New York Times

The Sunni world, it seems, may be on the verge of falling out of the American orbit.

The Telegraph

But the Surhoff talks with the Orioles are on the verge of falling apart after conversations between the teams today.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "verge of falling" to describe situations where something is imminently close to a negative outcome, such as collapse, failure, or decline. Ensure the context clearly supports the sense of immediacy and potential disaster.

Common error

Avoid using "verge of falling" to describe situations that are gradually declining over a long period without an imminent threat of collapse. It's best suited for scenarios where the negative outcome is expected to happen soon.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "verge of falling" functions as a prepositional phrase typically used as an adjective to describe a noun, indicating that the noun is in a state of being very close to collapsing, failing, or declining. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "verge of falling" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to describe something as being on the brink of collapse or failure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media, where it conveys urgency and potential danger. While similar phrases like "brink of collapse" and "edge of ruin" exist, "verge of falling" maintains a neutral register and wide applicability. When writing, ensure that "verge of falling" accurately reflects an imminent threat rather than a gradual decline.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close to collapsing

A straightforward alternative emphasizing the proximity to collapse.

brink of collapse

Focuses on the imminent failure or breakdown of something.

near the breaking point

Highlights the stress and pressure leading to a potential break or failure.

edge of ruin

Emphasizes the disastrous consequences that are about to occur.

point of failure

Highlights the specific moment when something is about to fail.

threat of downfall

Emphasizes the potential for a significant and negative decline.

on its last legs

An idiomatic expression indicating that something is in very poor condition and near failure.

on the ropes

Idiomatic expression indicating a state of near defeat or collapse.

about to topple

Implies instability and the likelihood of falling over.

approaching its end

Suggests the final stages before something ceases to exist or function.

FAQs

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

You can use "verge of falling" to describe something that is close to collapsing or failing. For example, "The old bridge was on the verge of falling after the heavy storm."

What are some alternatives to "verge of falling"?

Alternatives include "brink of collapse", "edge of ruin", or "point of failure", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "on the verge to fall" instead of "verge of falling"?

No, the correct phrasing is "verge of falling". The preposition "of" requires a gerund (a verb form ending in -ing) in this context. "To fall" is an infinitive and grammatically incorrect here.

What's the difference between "verge of falling" and "danger of falling"?

"Verge of falling" implies that the event is more imminent. "Danger of falling" "danger of falling" suggests a potential risk, but not necessarily an immediate one.