[ينابيع الصفاء]

( اللهم افتح علينا حكمتك وانشر علينا رحمتك ياذا الجلال والاكرام) .

the difference between "on the verge of and to be about to"?x

These two are very similar but not interchangeable in all contexts



on the verge of (something / doing something) = at an extreme, on the edge, if we cross the edge then something will happen

about to (do something) = it is the next thing that will happen, and almost immediately

About to is a little more certain and immediate than on the verge of

The policeman seemed to be on the verge of losing his temper

Be careful! I am on the verge of losing my temper
Be careful! I'm about to lose my temper

She was on the verge of tears


We are on the verge of deciding. (not about to)x

He is about to play tennis. (not on the verge of)x

I was about to turn left when I saw Sara
I was on the verge of turning left when I saw Sara

I didn't speak to them because they were about to leave
I didn't speak to them because they seemed to be on the verge of leaving



best wishes