easily torn fabric

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "easily torn fabric" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe fabric that can be ripped or damaged with little effort. For example, "The dress was made from easily torn fabric, making it unsuitable for everyday wear." Alternative expressions include "fragile fabric" and "delicate fabric."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A human bone protruding from torn fabric.

The New York Times

Unlike other tapes, the fabric backing gives duct tape strength yet allows it to be easily torn.

The New York Times

At this meeting a secret is revealed that could easily tear apart the fabric of our barely functional financial system.

Huffington Post

The final project is easily torn.

WikiHow

Be careful because the soft, roasted chiles are easily torn.

WikiHow

Such decorations can easily tear Betta fins.

WikiHow

You may bite your piercing and easily tear it!

WikiHow

Trapped in a geopolitical vice and with the country reeling from its longest recession in post-war history, Greece's social fabric could easily be torn apart.

The Guardian

Before handing down the longest prison sentence a corrupt Illinois governor has ever received, the judge said Blagojevich had "torn the fabric and disfigured" state government in a way that will not be easily repaired.

Huffington Post

"Instead of a common fabric," he said, "we're tearing that fabric apart".

Huffington Post

Scrub easily and softly when washing your shades so you don't rip or tear the fabric.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ the metaphorical sense to describe the breakdown of social, political, or economic systems, as seen in many journalistic examples.

Common error

Avoid using 'easily tore fabric' when an adjective is required. Always use the past participle 'torn' to describe the state or quality of the noun.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "easily torn fabric" functions as a complex noun phrase where the adverb easily modifies the participle torn, which in turn acts as a descriptor for the head noun fabric. According to Ludwig AI, this construction is common for describing both literal material properties and abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "easily torn fabric" is a versatile and grammatically correct English phrase used to denote fragility. Ludwig AI identifies a strong duality in its application: literal usage is prevalent in instructional and scientific texts (describing items like tulle or roasted chiles), while metaphorical usage is a staple of high-quality journalism to describe the social fabric or political systems. When writing, ensure you use the past participle torn rather than the simple past form, and consider alternatives like "fragile textile" if you want to sound more formal in a technical context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fragile textile

Focuses on the inherent weakness of the material structure

delicate material

Uses a broader noun that implies sensitivity rather than just physical tearing

flimsy cloth

Suggests a lack of quality or thickness as the cause of tearing

easy-to-rip fabric

Hyphenated adjectival form providing a more direct action-oriented description

brittle weave

Technical term implying the fabric is prone to breaking due to dryness or age

frail fabric

Often used metaphorically to describe weak systems or relationships

weak material

A simpler, less descriptive way to convey lack of strength

vulnerable fabric

Highly metaphorical, often used in social or political contexts

perishable cloth

Suggests that the fabric will decay or tear over time

soft fabric

Implies a texture that might lead to tearing, though not as explicit as easily torn

FAQs

How to use "easily torn fabric" in a sentence?

You can use it as a subject or object, for example: "This gown is made of "delicate material" that acts like an "easily torn fabric" when handled roughly."

What can I say instead of "easily torn fabric"?

Depending on your context, you might prefer "fragile textile", "flimsy cloth", or "easy-to-rip fabric".

Is "easily torn fabric" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. It uses the adverb 'easily' to modify the past participle 'torn', which functions as an adjective for 'fabric'.

Can "easily torn fabric" be used metaphorically?

Yes, it is common in news media to refer to a "social fabric is torn" to describe community divisions or political instability.