"on the brink of" vs "on the verge of"

Question

"on the brink of" vs "on the verge of"

Both 'on the verge of' and 'on the brink of' are correct phrases that are used to indicate being very close to a particular state or condition. They are interchangeable in most contexts.

Last Updated: March 24, 2024

This phrase is used to indicate being very close to a particular state or condition, similar to 'on the verge of.' It can be used interchangeably with 'on the verge of.'

Examples:

The country is on the brink of war.
She was on the brink of giving up.
The team is on the brink of victory.
He is on the brink of a breakthrough in his research.
The company is on the brink of collapse.

Alternatives:

on the verge of
close to
near
approaching
about to

This phrase is used to describe a situation where something is about to happen or change. It indicates being very close to a particular state or condition.

Examples:

She was on the verge of tears.
The company is on the verge of bankruptcy.
He is on the verge of a major breakthrough.
The country is on the verge of a political crisis.
They are on the verge of signing a new contract.

Alternatives:

on the brink of
close to
near
approaching
about to

Answer 1

on the brink of

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Answer 2

on the verge of

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"on the brink of" vs "on the verge of"

on the brink of

on the verge of

Related Comparisons