delicately balanced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "delicately balanced" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is very fragile or precarious, and needs to be handled carefully in order to maintain its stability. For example, "The peace treaty between the two nations has been delicately balanced for years and any disruption could have dire consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So it's delicately balanced.

The Guardian - Opinion

"These markets appeared delicately balanced between greed and fear".

The New York Times

This is yet another reason why any planets biosphere is so delicately balanced and unpredictable.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

He was engrossed by their "Equilibrium" sculptures — delicately balanced metal-and-rubber constructions.

The New Yorker

My ideal summer novel is delicately balanced on the edge of frivolity.

The New Yorker

When interests were so delicately balanced, arbitration was preferable to aggression.

Britannica

It is clear that many of them were delicately balanced and nuanced decisions.

The Guardian

Over the past 18 months, an unprecedented purge has effectively demolished this delicately balanced edifice.

The Guardian

Such information might very well be crucial in a general election as delicately balanced as next May's.

Independent

Delicately balanced between fact and fiction, Song Fang's "Memories Look at Me," contemplates dying by honoring the living.

The New York Times

"Outside forces should not be allowed to tinker with a system so delicately balanced," Justice Engoron wrote.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "delicately balanced", ensure the context clearly indicates what elements are being balanced. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "delicately balanced" too frequently in a single piece of writing. Overuse can dilute its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Look for opportunities to use synonyms or rephrase sentences for variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delicately balanced" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes a state of equilibrium that is fragile and requires careful management. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, with examples showing it used to describe situations, systems, and even artistic compositions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "delicately balanced" is a common and versatile adjective phrase used to describe situations, systems, or objects that are in a fragile state of equilibrium. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. When using "delicately balanced", it's important to ensure the context clearly indicates what elements are being balanced to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "finely tuned" or "precariously poised" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Remember to avoid overuse to maintain the phrase's impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finely tuned

Emphasizes precision and careful adjustment to achieve a desired state.

precariously poised

Highlights the instability and potential for disruption in the balance.

equilibrated

Focuses on the state of balance achieved after opposing forces have neutralized each other.

carefully calibrated

Suggests a deliberate and precise adjustment to maintain balance.

sensitively managed

Implies a skillful handling of a situation to prevent imbalance.

thinly veiled

Highlights that a subtle balance is easily seen, but not in an obvious way.

tenuously held

Emphasizes the fragility and risk of collapse of the balanced state.

subtly controlled

Stresses the refined and nuanced management required to maintain balance.

just so

Implies a perfection in balance.

in equilibrium

Highlights the state of equal forces that makes a good balance.

FAQs

How can I use "delicately balanced" in a sentence?

You can use "delicately balanced" to describe something that requires careful management to maintain stability, like "The diplomatic situation is "delicately balanced" and requires careful negotiation".

What are some alternatives to "delicately balanced"?

Alternatives include "finely tuned", "precariously poised", or "carefully calibrated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "delicately balance" instead of "delicately balanced"?

No, "delicately balance" is grammatically incorrect in most contexts where "delicately balanced" is used as an adjective. The latter is a past participle acting as an adjective to describe something's state.

What does it mean when something is described as "delicately balanced"?

It means that the thing in question is in a state of equilibrium that is easily disrupted and requires careful attention to maintain.