on the verge of vs about to

Both "on the verge of" and "about to" are correct phrases, but they are used in different contexts. "On the verge of" is used to indicate that something is about to happen or is very close to happening, while "about to" is used to indicate an imminent action or event. They are not directly comparable as they serve different purposes.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 982 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something is about to happen or is very close to happening.

"on the verge of "

Use "on the verge of" to describe a situation where something is about to happen or is very close to happening. It is often used to convey a sense of anticipation or imminent change.

Examples:

She was on the verge of tears.
The company is on the verge of bankruptcy.
He is on the verge of making a major decision.
The team is on the verge of winning the championship.
The country is on the verge of a political revolution.

Show examples from the web [+]

We're on the verge of a discovery.
You're a house painter on the verge of divorce.
Just when we're on the verge of a breakthrough.
We're on the verge of a disaster.
We've been on the verge of Chapter 11 since that accident in the park.
I feel like I'm constantly on the verge of...
Some of these countries are on the verge of ecological disaster.
You're on the verge of being arrested.
That's what you're on the verge of achieving.
This village has been on the verge of an explosion.
I was always on the verge of doing so.
I'm on the verge of discovering an ultra-advanced, but ancient civilization.
We were on the verge of first contact.
We're on the verge of a whole new social science.
But we now stand on the verge of another revolution in geolocation accuracy.
I'm right on the verge of some real success.
You want it right on the verge of crumbling at any moment.
I am on the verge of finally getting the Stone for him.
Separatist forces are on the verge of claiming the planet Malastare.
We're only on the verge of a major scientific break-though.

Alternatives:

close to
nearing
approaching
close to the brink of
on the brink of

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate an imminent action or event.

"about to"

Use "about to" to describe an action or event that is going to happen very soon or is imminent. It is often used to express a sense of immediacy or anticipation.

Examples:

I am about to leave for the airport.
The cake is about to come out of the oven.
She is about to start her presentation.
The storm is about to hit the coast.
He is about to make an important announcement.

Show examples from the web [+]

Your vasectomy is about to beginning.
The about to be Princess of Canada.
Like watching an accident about to happen.
You're about to lose your head.
Someone about to release a hostage.
His star is about to fall.
Your mind is about to crack.
Gabrielle, you're about to take a journey through your memories.
Your family's about to fall apart.
I think it's telling me something's about to happen.
Someone's about to make a subspace transmission.
The KIingon moon Praxis is about to explode.
Project Vulcan is about to begin.
Then the fun's about to begin.
This plane is about to be intercepted.
Commander Rabb is about to launch.
Get in. Admiral Chegwidden's about to take Osbourne down.
The general is about to win the battle.
Babe, the boss is about to lose the farm.
Xena - those rocks look like they're about to fall.

Alternatives:

on the point of
on the brink of
on the edge of
on the cusp of
on the threshold of

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on the verge of vs about to

"on the verge of "

"about to"

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