close to disintegration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "close to disintegration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is nearly falling apart or breaking down, whether physically or metaphorically. Example: "After years of neglect, the old building was close to disintegration, with crumbling walls and a sagging roof."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The shrewd Marshal Tito once remarked that 'a strong Yugoslavia needs a weak Serbia'; but his device for containing Serbian nationalism is close to disintegration.

The Guardian

Some Soviet citizens here believe that the West has not yet grasped just how close to disintegration the Soviet Communist Party and the Soviet economic and social system are, or how desperate are Mr. Gorbachev's attempts to reshape it.

The New York Times

Under the blockade, Gazan society has been brought close to disintegration: Gaza's economy has suffered irreparable damage; one in two residents live in poverty; and its always fragile social, kinship and political relationships have violently broken down.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In the four other regions, center-right or nationalist parties triumphed, and the results in Serbia and Montenegro threaten to push Yugoslavia one step closer to disintegration.

The New York Times

That symbolical gestures may be sought to allay worries that the EU has come one dangerous step closer to disintegration as a result of the Brexit vote is hardly surprising.

The Guardian - Opinion

Before Gagné began Boston's disintegration, the Red Sox came close to scoring the decisive run in the ninth.

The New York Times - Sports

The fear of national disintegration were played upon military leaders close to Suharto and remained as one of Indonesia's strongest justifications for refusing to entertain the prospect of East Timorese independence or even autonomy until the late 1990s.

Wikipedia

He noted that Goss's effort to integrate the agency into the larger intelligence community had been a "tough job". Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte, who favored replacing Goss, similarly spoke of "transition and reform". That's a gentle way of describing the past year of reorganization, which intelligence veterans say has been closer to chaos and disintegration.

The Washington Post

"Dancing at Lughnasa," Brian Friel's hauntingly beautiful memory play about the disintegration of an impoverished Irish family in the 1930s, is as close to living poetry as you're likely to find in the theater.

Los Angeles Times

Remarkable cycling stability and coulombic efficiency close to 100% have been achieved by suppressing the process at high voltage since results in Na-PB peptization and electrode disintegration.

Electrochimica Acta

The original architects' plans had been preserved though they were close to disintegration and were largely followed in the subsequent construction work.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "close to disintegration" when you want to emphasize that something is nearly at the point of breaking down or falling apart, either literally or figuratively. It suggests a precarious state.

Common error

While appropriate in many situations, avoid using "close to disintegration" in highly formal or scientific writing where more precise or technical language might be preferred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close to disintegration" functions as a descriptive phrase, often acting as an adjective modifying a noun. It depicts a state of near collapse or breakdown, indicating that something is on the verge of falling apart. Ludwig examples show its use in describing societies, political entities, and physical structures.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

22%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "close to disintegration" effectively conveys that something is on the verge of falling apart. Ludwig's analysis of the phrase confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While not exceedingly common, it's found in news, scientific writing and general discussions, suggesting a neutral register. Alternative phrases, like "on the verge of collapse", offer similar meanings with slight shifts in emphasis. This phrase works best when highlighting the precariousness and potential downfall of a subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close to falling apart

Highlights imminent fragmentation and loss of cohesion.

on the verge of collapse

Emphasizes imminent failure or breakdown.

nearing collapse

Similar to "on the verge of collapse" but suggests a process rather than an immediate event.

on the brink of destruction

Highlights the potential for complete annihilation or ruin.

approaching collapse

Suggests the process of nearing a state of ruin.

in danger of falling apart

Focuses on the separation or fragmentation of something.

on the edge of ruin

Implies a state of near devastation or decay.

about to crumble

Conveys a sense of physical or structural failure.

ready to disintegrate

More emphatic than the query, suggesting readiness.

near dissolution

Focuses on the breakdown into component parts.

FAQs

How can I use "close to disintegration" in a sentence?

You can use "close to disintegration" to describe physical objects, social structures, or even abstract concepts that are on the verge of collapse. For example: "After years of neglect, the old building was "close to disintegration"".

What are some alternatives to "close to disintegration"?

You can use alternatives like "on the verge of collapse", "nearing collapse", or "on the brink of destruction", depending on the specific context.

Is "close to disintegration" a formal or informal expression?

"Close to disintegration" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more technical language might be preferred in certain scientific or academic settings.

What does it mean when something is described as "close to disintegration"?

When something is described as "close to disintegration", it means that it is in a state where it is almost completely broken down, collapsed, or ruined.