border on

border on — phrasal verb

  • border onbase form
  • borders on3rd person singular
  • bordering on-ing form
  • bordered onpast simple

1. to be extremely close to reaching a particular quality or state, usually one tha

1.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

to be extremely close to reaching a particular quality or state, usually one that is extreme or undesirable

例句

Stefan's enthusiasm for adventure sports sometimes borders on recklessness.

border on + noun (recklessness) for extreme qualities

The tense atmosphere at the staff meeting bordered on hostile.

bordered on + adjective describing emotional state

同義詞
  • verge on

    very similar in meaning; slightly more literary and formal

  • approach

    less intense; simply comes near without suggesting crossing a line

  • approximate

    formal; suggests a close similarity rather than an extreme

反義詞
  • avoid

    to steer clear of a quality rather than approach it

文法句型

border on + noun phrase

用法筆記

Always takes an object — a noun or noun phrase describing the quality or state. Commonly used with negative or extreme qualities (cruelty, obsession, hysteria), though positive extremes (genius, brilliance) also occur. Never followed by a that-clause or a to-infinitive.

常見錯誤

❌His behaviour borders on that he is cruel.
✅His behaviour borders on cruelty.
💡border on is followed by a noun or noun phrase, not a that-clause.
❌The movie borders on to be violent.
✅The movie borders on violence.
💡border on cannot be followed by a to-infinitive; use a noun instead.

2. to be directly next to a place or region, sharing a boundary with it

2.片語動詞及物B1
釋義

to be directly next to a place or region, sharing a boundary with it

例句

The Watanabes' farm borders on a protected wetland area.

property + border on + geographical feature

A narrow strip of parkland borders on the lake at the southern end.

同義詞
  • adjoin

    more formal; often used in legal or technical descriptions

  • neighbour

    chiefly British; used as a verb meaning to be next to

  • be adjacent to

    descriptive phrase; neutral register

文法句型

place + border on + place

用法筆記

Subject is usually a place (country, region, property) and the object is the neighbouring location. Frequently used in geographical descriptions. Less common in American English than the phrasal verb border directly followed by an object (without on).

常見錯誤

❌France borders on.
✅France borders on Spain.
💡border on always requires an object when used in this sense.
❌The garden borders onto the river.
✅The garden borders on the river.
💡the standard form is border on, not border onto.