Fragile balance

USAGE SUMMARY

"fragile balance" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation that is delicate and easily disrupted. For example, "The ecosystem relies on a fragile balance between predators and prey." Alternative expressions include "delicate equilibrium" and "tenuous stability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fragile balance sheets and heavy investment demands prompted Standard & Poor's, a rating agency, to place negative credit outlooks on Sands in May and Galaxy in December.

The Economist

"There's a fragile balance.

The New York Times

This has battered already fragile balance sheets.

The Economist

Mr. Bush put an end to that fragile balance.

The New York Times

Diverse communities strike a fragile balance that can easily be lost over time, the study found.

The New York Times

But the spill points up the fragile balance between oil and seafood.

The New York Times

In our fourth year in the Bronx, our fragile balance started to slide.

The New York Times

As it happens, a fragile balance holds at 347 West 36th Street.

The New York Times

The fragile balance of bourgeois society is revealed at its very tipping-point.

The Guardian - Film

He directs the conversation; I lose the urgency to say anything to tip our fragile balance.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the new openness does underscore the country's fragile balance of power.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fragile balance", ensure the context clearly indicates what elements are being balanced and what forces might disrupt that balance. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "fragile balance" when a situation is merely complex or difficult. The phrase implies a high likelihood of imminent disruption, so reserve it for genuinely precarious scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fragile balance" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of equilibrium that is easily disrupted. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in contexts ranging from international relations to personal relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fragile balance" is a commonly used expression to describe situations where stability is easily disrupted. As evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. The phrase is grammatically correct and serves to highlight the precarious nature of a given scenario. Ludwig AI confirms the usability of the phrase and provides numerous examples of it being used in context. When using "fragile balance", it's important to consider the specific elements that are being balanced and the potential forces that could disrupt that balance, to ensure the message is clearly communicated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Delicate equilibrium

Emphasizes the fine and easily upset nature of the equilibrium.

Tenuous stability

Highlights the weak and uncertain quality of the stability.

Precarious equilibrium

Underscores the risk and uncertainty associated with the balance.

Unstable equilibrium

Focuses on the lack of stability within the balanced state.

Delicate state of affairs

Shifts the focus to a broader situation characterized by fragility.

Sensitive dynamic

Highlights the responsiveness and potential volatility of the interaction.

Vulnerable state

Emphasizes the susceptibility to harm or disruption.

Brittle stability

Conveys a sense of rigidity that can easily break.

Compromised balance

Suggests the balance has already been weakened or impaired.

Precarious situation

Widens the scope to a general scenario fraught with danger.

FAQs

How can I use "fragile balance" in a sentence?

You can use "fragile balance" to describe situations where stability is easily disrupted, such as "The peace treaty maintained a "fragile balance" between the warring factions".

What are some alternatives to "fragile balance"?

Alternatives include "delicate equilibrium", "tenuous stability", or "precarious situation", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "fragile balance" formal or informal?

"Fragile balance" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What makes a balance "fragile"?

A balance is considered "fragile" when it is easily upset by internal or external pressures, requiring constant maintenance and careful management to prevent collapse or disruption.