"about to" vs "on the verge of"

Question

"about to" vs "on the verge of"

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

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.

Alternatives:

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

Alternatives:

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

Answer 1

about to

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

Answer 2

on the verge of

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

"about to" vs "on the verge of"

about to

on the verge of

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