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Ludwig provides contextual example sentences from reliable sources like The New York Times, BBC, and academic publications, helping you understand how words and phrases are used in real-world contexts. This improves both writing fluency and comprehension skills.

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Ludwig focuses on providing real example sentences from authoritative sources, not just grammar checking. This contextual approach helps users understand not just what's correct, but how language is actually used by native speakers and professional writers.

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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

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CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

On the verge of tears
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"on the verge of tears" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English
You can use it to describe a person who is about to cry, usually as a result of being moved emotionally. For example: "As the mother said goodbye to her son, she was on the verge of tears."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Nadal looks like he's on the verge of tears.

News & Media

The Guardian - Sport

He was on the verge of tears.

News & Media

Independent

Schumacher seemed on the verge of tears.

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

She's on the verge of tears.

News & Media

The New Yorker

He seemed on the verge of tears.

News & Media

The New York Times

He seemed, suddenly, to be on the verge of tears.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Is it the tense, on-the-verge-of-tears look?

News & Media

The Guardian - Film

He appeared grief stricken and on the verge of tears.

News & Media

The New York Times

To his surprise, he is on the verge of tears.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Mr. Squitieri, 69, spoke softly, his voice wavering as though on the verge of tears.

News & Media

The New York Times

Throughout the evening he seemed on the verge of tears--sort of a political Renee Zellweger.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

✓ Best practice

Use the phrase "on the verge of tears" to effectively convey a character's heightened emotional state in your writing, creating empathy and depth.

⚠ Common error

Avoid using "on the verge of tears" too frequently within a single piece of writing, as it can diminish its impact. Instead, vary your descriptions of emotional distress with alternative phrases or evocative imagery.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the verge of tears" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone's emotional state. Ludwig AI identifies this usage across numerous examples, showing how it adds detail and emotional depth to descriptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

✓ Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Wiki

⚠ Less common in

Science

Encyclopedias

Reference

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on the verge of tears" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe someone who is close to crying due to strong emotions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently found in news and media, but also appears in formal and informal contexts. While the phrase is widely accepted, it's important to avoid overuse and consider alternative expressions like "on the brink of tears" or "close to tears" to maintain variety in your writing. Understanding its function and purpose helps writers effectively convey emotional depth and create empathy in their narratives.

Alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

More alternative expressions(6)

FAQs

What does "on the verge of tears" mean?

The phrase "on the verge of tears" means that someone is very close to crying, usually due to strong emotions like sadness, happiness, or frustration.

What can I say instead of "on the verge of tears"?

You can use alternatives like "", "", or "" depending on the context.

How can I use "on the verge of tears" in a sentence?

You might say, "She was "on the verge of tears" as she watched her son graduate" or "He looked to be "on the verge of tears" after hearing the news."

Is it appropriate to use "on the verge of tears" in formal writing?

Yes, "on the verge of tears" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing when you want to describe someone's emotional state. However, consider the tone and audience of your writing to ensure it fits the overall context.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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On the verge of tearsGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

On the verge of tears
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples