fine balance between

USAGE SUMMARY

"fine balance between" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about two elements that need to be balanced in order to achieve a desired outcome. For example: "Maintaining a fine balance between safety and efficiency is essential for the success of our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Maintaining a fine balance between the two is very important.

Stanford University

Entrees struck a fine balance between exuberance and restraint.

The New York Times

The fine balance between melodrama and chipper understatement.

The Guardian - Books

It's a fine balance between being deferential, but not slavish".

The New York Times - Arts

There's a fine balance between appearing over confident, or arrogant, and too relaxed or disinterested".

The Guardian

There is a fine balance between the psychological and the spectral.

The Guardian - Books

"There is a fine balance between the business side and the music," Mr. Calcagne said.

The New York Times

His mastery of the fine balance between description and expression was by now fully achieved.

The Guardian - Books

In this respect Pamuk strikes a fine balance between suggestion and discretion.

The Guardian - Books

The Ready campaign is supposed to strike a fine balance between being informative and being alarmist.

The New Yorker

And perhaps that had a lot to do with Time's fine balance between sellers and creators.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fine balance between", ensure that both elements being balanced are clearly identified to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid implying that one element in the "fine balance between" is inherently more important than the other, unless context explicitly warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fine balance between" functions as a modifier, typically describing a situation, process, or relationship where two opposing or distinct elements need to be carefully managed to achieve equilibrium. As indicated by Ludwig, it highlights the need for equilibrium between two different elements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fine balance between" is a commonly used phrase that highlights the necessity of equilibrium between two distinct elements. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for diverse contexts. Its application spans news, scientific, and academic domains, reflecting its versatility in describing scenarios requiring careful consideration and moderation. When employing this phrase, clarity in identifying both elements is crucial, and overemphasizing one at the expense of the other should be avoided. Alternatives such as "delicate balance between" or "ideal balance between" may be used to subtly shift the emphasis. The phrase emphasizes a good and functional equilibrium.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delicate balance between

Replaces "fine" with "delicate", emphasizing the fragility or sensitivity of the balance.

ideal balance between

Substitutes "fine" with "ideal", suggesting a perfect or optimal equilibrium.

careful balance between

Replaces "fine" with "careful", highlighting the need for caution and precision in maintaining the balance.

proper balance between

Replaces "fine" with "proper", focusing on appropriateness and correctness in the balance.

suitable balance between

Similar to "proper balance", this emphasizes the appropriateness of the equilibrium.

equitable balance between

Adds a sense of fairness or justice to the concept of balance.

harmonious balance between

Implies a pleasing or aesthetic equilibrium.

just balance between

Similar to equitable, this emphasizes fairness and impartiality.

even balance between

Focuses on the equality of the two elements being balanced.

measured balance between

Highlights the calculated and deliberate nature of the equilibrium.

FAQs

How to use "fine balance between" in a sentence?

Use "fine balance between" to describe the need for equilibrium between two different, and often opposing, elements. For example, "There's a "fine balance between" being interested and pestering."

What can I say instead of "fine balance between"?

You can use alternatives like "delicate balance between", "ideal balance between", or "careful balance between" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "fine balance between"?

It's appropriate when discussing situations where two factors need to be carefully considered and managed to achieve the best outcome, and neither factor should dominate the other.

Is there a difference between "fine balance between" and "perfect balance between"?

"Fine balance between" suggests a balance that is good and functional, while "perfect balance between" implies an ideal, possibly unattainable, state of equilibrium.