a fragile existence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fragile existence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a life or state of being that is delicate, vulnerable, or easily disrupted. Example: "Living in such a tumultuous environment, she often felt she was leading a fragile existence, constantly on edge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Meanwhile, we live such a fragile existence.

The New York Times

It is a fragile existence.

The Guardian - Sport

It is a fragile existence, being a manager.

The Guardian - Sport

THIS morning, the sports world begins putting the pieces of a fragile existence back together.

The New York Times - Sports

It is a fragile existence but the players hope to use these Games to secure an enduring legacy.

The Guardian - Sport

Like most rural women she ekes out a fragile existence depending on rain-fed agriculture for two months of the year.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

But we don't need the imaginary progress of Graham to marvel at human evolution: who would have guessed a couple of years ago that a model of a deformed human designed to remind us of our own fragile existence would pass for a jolly diversion in 2016?

The Guardian

At a conference on cultural policy last October in Washington (sponsored by Americans for the Arts and the Center for Arts and Culture), Julia Foulkes, a dance historian and professor at the New School University, called the fate of Graham's company "a dramatic exposé of the fragile existence of modern dance".

The New York Times - Arts

The artifice of the theatre reflects the self-consciousness of this eternally wandering everyman, who has become so aware of his own fragile existence that now he can barely exist at all.

The Guardian

And both writers, in these late American Jewish novels, treat their fragile existence with melancholic tenderness.

The New York Times - Books

The influx of tourism only serves to complicate Polonio's already fragile existence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a fragile existence", ensure the context clearly establishes what is making the existence vulnerable. For instance, specify the environmental, social, or economic factors contributing to the fragility.

Common error

Avoid using "a fragile existence" as a vague descriptor. Instead, provide specific details about the nature of the fragility. Saying 'the ecosystem has a fragile existence' is less impactful than 'the ecosystem's fragile existence is threatened by deforestation and pollution'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fragile existence" functions as a noun phrase, where "fragile" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "existence". It describes the quality or condition of something's being in a vulnerable or precarious state. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a fragile existence" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to describe a vulnerable or precarious state of being. Ludwig AI shows that it's commonly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. When using this phrase, it's essential to provide specific details about the factors contributing to the fragility. While alternatives like "precarious life" or "vulnerable state" exist, "a fragile existence" aptly conveys the sense of something easily disrupted or harmed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a precarious life

Focuses on the uncertainty and risk associated with life.

a vulnerable state

Highlights the susceptibility to harm or damage.

an unstable situation

Emphasizes the lack of stability and potential for collapse.

a delicate balance

Indicates a state where small changes can lead to significant disruptions.

a tenuous hold on life

Stresses the weakness and uncertainty of clinging to life.

a chancy situation

This relates to a situation with high risks.

an impermanent condition

Highlights the temporary and transient nature of the state.

a threatened existence

This relates to existence in which one or more threats are apparent.

a marginal lifestyle

Indicates a life lived on the edge, with little security or resources.

a volatile reality

Emphasizes the potential for sudden and dramatic changes in circumstances.

FAQs

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

You can use "a fragile existence" to describe a life, situation, or system that is easily disrupted or harmed. For example, "The refugees led "a fragile existence" in the overcrowded camp."

What are some alternatives to "a fragile existence"?

Alternatives include "precarious life", "vulnerable state", or "unstable situation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "fragile existence" or "tenuous existence"?

Both "fragile existence" and "tenuous existence" are valid, but "fragile" emphasizes the ease with which something can be broken or damaged, while "tenuous" suggests a weak or uncertain connection or hold. Choose the word that best fits the context.

What does it mean to lead "a fragile existence"?

To lead "a fragile existence" means to live in a state of vulnerability, where one's well-being or survival is easily threatened by external factors or circumstances. This often implies a lack of security or stability.