a fragile link

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fragile link" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a connection or relationship that is weak or easily broken. Example: "The negotiations between the two countries were a fragile link, susceptible to collapse at any moment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It is a fragile link with the past; the meals shared and lives lived by people we miss".

The Guardian - Money

Ten or 20 years ago there was still a fragile link to the first world war with living survivors but if you think about it now, all we have left are those graves and cemeteries".

The Guardian - Books

When Strong writes of the English love of gardens in this book, he sees that there may be some race memory at work here, by which the citizens of post-rural England may find a fragile link back to the agricultural past of their ancestors.

The Guardian - Books

Secondly, they are considered a fragile link in the care process.

BMC Health Services Research

Thirdly, they are considered a fragile link in the care process as a lack of work experience and a high work-pressure among residents increases hazardous situations [ 12, 13].

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

As shown in the previous subsection, this results in choosing many safe links (i.e., links whereby the receiving end operates well beyond the signal-to-noise ratio threshold) for communication between two nodes, rather than using a few fragile links.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Now an astronomer has found the most fragile link yet between two dwarfs, bolstering the case that they started life with a whimper.

Science Magazine

They are our last fragile link to deeper history.

The Guardian - Opinion

It looks at the increasingly fragile link between children and nature.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

— has made my fragile link to the web from home even iffier.

The New York Times

Hence, this set of parameter values is also consistent with the explanation that intermittent patterns of TBEV occurrences are due to the "fragile" link between cofeeding larvae and nymphs [30], [42], [43], which could be a result of either no overlap between cohorts, or larvae and nymphs feeding on different hosts.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a fragile link" to describe relationships or connections that are easily disrupted or damaged, emphasizing their vulnerability. For example, "The trade agreement between the two nations was a fragile link, easily broken by political tensions."

Common error

Avoid using "a fragile link" when describing situations that are merely complex or challenging. The phrase implies a high degree of vulnerability, so ensure the context warrants this level of concern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fragile link" functions as a noun phrase, where "fragile" modifies "link", describing a connection or relationship that is easily broken or disrupted. Ludwig AI confirms the correct usage of this phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a fragile link" effectively conveys the vulnerability of a connection or relationship. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is grammatically correct and suitable for describing situations easily disrupted. It commonly appears in News & Media and Science contexts. Alternatives like "a tenuous connection" or "a precarious relationship" can offer nuanced variations. When using this phrase, ensure the context genuinely reflects a high degree of vulnerability to avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tenuous connection

Focuses on the insubstantial nature of the bond.

a precarious relationship

Highlights the instability and risk associated with the relationship.

a vulnerable connection

Emphasizes the susceptibility to harm or damage.

a delicate balance

Indicates a state that is easily upset.

a brittle bond

Implies a lack of resilience and proneness to breaking.

a weak link

Directly describes the connection as being feeble or deficient.

an unstable alliance

Refers to an agreement or partnership lacking firmness.

a compromised association

Suggests the relationship has been weakened or damaged.

a faltering union

Implies the relationship is weakening or failing.

a threadbare tie

Conveys a sense of worn-out or depleted connection.

FAQs

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

Use "a fragile link" to describe something easily broken or disrupted. Example: "The diplomatic relationship between the countries remained "a fragile link" after the recent conflict."

What are some synonyms for "a fragile link"?

Alternatives include "a tenuous connection", "a precarious relationship", or "a vulnerable connection", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a fragile link"?

It's appropriate when referring to a connection or relationship that is easily disrupted or damaged by external factors or internal weaknesses. It implies vulnerability and instability.

What's the difference between "a fragile link" and "a weak link"?

"A weak link" generally refers to a point of failure within a system, while ""a fragile link"" emphasizes the ease with which a connection or relationship can be broken or disrupted. Fragile suggests a higher degree of vulnerability.