was on the verge of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was on the verge of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone or something is very close to experiencing a particular event or situation. Example: "She was on the verge of tears after hearing the news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"No remotes?" the little one was on the verge of disbelief now.

Huffington Post

More than one person was on the verge of tears.

The New Yorker

It was on the verge of cohering.

The New York Times

He was on the verge of tears.

Independent

She was on the verge of suicide.

The New York Times - Health

He was on the verge of walking.

The Guardian - Film

The economy was on the verge of collapse.

The New York Times

The regime was on the verge of collapse.

The Guardian

My BlackBerry was on the verge of fainting.

The New York Times

The governess was on the verge of a breakdown.

The New York Times - Books

His house was on the verge of collapse.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was on the verge of" to create a sense of anticipation or suspense in your writing. It effectively conveys that a significant event is about to happen or that someone is close to a breaking point.

Common error

Avoid using "was on the verge of" when the action has already occurred. This phrase indicates an impending event, not one that has passed. For example, instead of saying "He was on the verge of crying, and then he cried", say "He was about to cry, and then he cried".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was on the verge of" functions as a linking verb + prepositional phrase, indicating a state of being close to experiencing something. It expresses the imminence of an event or condition, as evidenced by the numerous examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was on the verge of" is a grammatically correct and highly versatile expression used to indicate that someone or something is close to a particular event or state. As shown by Ludwig, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, serving to create a sense of anticipation or highlight a precarious situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with an impending event rather than one that has already occurred. Alternatives include "was about to" and "was on the brink of", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was about to

This alternative implies immediacy and nearness to an action or event. It's slightly more direct and less figurative than the original phrase.

was on the brink of

This phrase suggests a critical or precarious state, emphasizing the potential for a significant negative outcome.

was nearing

This alternative focuses on the approach to a certain state or event, often used in a more neutral or descriptive context.

was close to

This phrase is a more general way of expressing nearness to a particular state or outcome. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts.

was approaching

Similar to 'was nearing', but often used for events or situations that develop over time, rather than sudden occurrences.

was tending toward

This implies a direction or inclination towards a specific outcome, rather than an imminent event.

was in danger of

Highlights the potential for an undesirable outcome, emphasizing the risk involved.

teetered on the edge of

This phrase emphasizes instability and a precarious balance before a significant change or event.

hovered near

Suggests a state of being in close proximity to something, but without the same sense of imminence.

loomed

This alternative implies that something, often negative, is threatening or impending, creating a sense of foreboding.

FAQs

What does "was on the verge of" mean?

The phrase "was on the verge of" indicates that someone or something was very close to experiencing a particular event or situation. It implies a state of imminence or high probability.

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

You can use "was on the verge of" to describe a state close to a specific outcome. For instance, "The company "was on the verge of bankruptcy"", or "She "was on the verge of tears" after hearing the news."

What can I say instead of "was on the verge of"?

You can use alternatives like "was about to", "was on the brink of", or "was close to", depending on the context.

Is "was on the verge to" grammatically correct?

No, the correct phrase is "was on the verge of". The preposition "of" is essential for the phrase to be grammatically sound. "Was on the verge to" is not standard English.