The English phrase "on the verge of" is used to indicate that someone or something is very close to experiencing or doing something, often something significant, imminent, or about to happen. It suggests being at a critical point or a threshold.
It's typically followed by a noun or a gerund (the -ing form of a verb used as a noun).
Structure and Usage
The common structure is:
[Subject] + [be verb] + on the verge of + [noun/gerund]
Noun examples:
"The company is on the verge of collapse." (Meaning the company is very close to collapsing)
"She was on the verge of tears." (Meaning she was very close to crying)
"The two nations were on the verge of war." (Meaning they were very close to starting a war)
Gerund examples:
"He was on the verge of giving up." (Meaning he was very close to giving up)
"We are on the verge of discovering a new cure." (Meaning we are very close to discovering a new cure)
"The old building is on the verge of falling down." (Meaning it's very close to collapsing)
Connotation
"On the verge of" often carries a connotation of:
Imminence: The event is expected to happen very soon.
Significance: The impending event is usually important, impactful, or a turning point.
Uncertainty/Tension: There can be an underlying sense of suspense, danger, or anticipation about what is about to occur, especially when the outcome is not yet certain (e.g., on the verge of war, on the verge of tears).
Both positive and negative outcomes: It can be used for both positive (e.g., "on the verge of success") and negative (e.g., "on the verge of disaster") situations.
Synonyms and Related Phrases
About to: "She was about to cry." (Less formal, more immediate)
On the brink of: Very similar in meaning, often used interchangeably, especially for more serious or dramatic situations (e.g., "on the brink of disaster").
Close to: "He was close to giving up." (More general, less emphatic)
On the edge of: Similar to "on the verge of," often implying a state of precariousness or excitement.
Example Sentences
After months of hard work, the team was on the verge of a breakthrough.
The athlete was so exhausted he was on the verge of collapse at the finish line.
With the new evidence, the police are on the verge of solving the mystery.
She felt herself on the verge of saying something she might regret.
Many small businesses are on the verge of closing due to the economic downturn.
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