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Ask for help > to be on the verge of
to be on the verge of
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jg574
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to be on the verge of
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hi!i need your help again  .what �s the use of "to be on the verge of"?(future in the past) is it the same as "to be about to"?
thanks in advance
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13 Sep 2010
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boydegg
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That �s right. Nearly going to.
I �m on the verge of a scientific breakthrough.
She �s on the verge of going crazy.
He �s on the verge of quitting his job.
Brian
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13 Sep 2010
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GIOVANNI
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It means I �m on the brink of or just about to.
I �m on the verge of having a nervous breakdown.
They are on the verge of making an important discovery.
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13 Sep 2010
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hdefined
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"On the verge of [noun/gerund]" can always be reworded as "about to [infinitive]," but not vice versa. To be on the verge of something, or of doing something, implies some suspense or anticipation.
"I �m on the verge of a new discovery." -> "I �m about to make a new discovery." (O)
But not:
"I �m about to eat an apple." -> "I �m on the verge of eating an apple." (X)
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13 Sep 2010
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