fragile building

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fragile building" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a structure that is weak or easily damaged, either physically or metaphorically. Example: "The fragile building swayed in the strong winds, raising concerns about its stability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Neighbors worry about snarled traffic and fragile building foundations.

The New York Times

Even though it might be possible to move the house, he doubted the fragile building would come through intact.

The New York Times

Asked about brownstone's reputation as a fragile building material, Edward L. Kalinowski, Portland's first selectman, said, "I don't believe it".

The New York Times

What he understands is that being a man today – or a woman – is organic, not fixed, an ongoing fragile building of identity, ever more difficult in the onslaught from the commercial market.

The Guardian - Opinion

Historic building heating and, in particular, church heating represents a challenging task because many objectives have to be reached simultaneously; in facts, adequate thermal comfort levels have to be guaranteed for the occupants while ensuring an optimal internal climate suitable for the preservation of valuable and often fragile building components and artworks.

Energy and Buildings

St Edmundsbury Borough Council said the scaffolding was essential to support the "very fragile" building.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"I'd call them fragile buildings.

The New Yorker

Separately, none of the fragile buildings are masterpieces.

The New York Times - Style

L'AQUILA, Italy — Powerful aftershocks jolted this crumbling city on Tuesday, hampering rescue efforts and toppling already fragile buildings, including the cupola of L'Aquila's cathedral.

The New York Times

As earthquakes can crack the foundation of fragile buildings, widely publicized acts of violence sometimes shatter the psychological stability of people who are lonely, depressed and feel powerless.

The New York Times

That disaster, which killed more than 8,000 people and destroyed half a million homes, was followed by a huge magnitude 7.3 aftershock yesterday that left at least 67 more people dead in the country and toppled already fragile buildings.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of external forces (like earthquakes or strong winds) on a building, use "fragile building" to emphasize the structure's inability to withstand the stress. For instance, "The fragile building swayed precariously during the storm."

Common error

Avoid using "fragile building" metaphorically when describing abstract concepts like relationships or ideas, where "fragile" alone is more appropriate. Instead of "The fragile building of their friendship collapsed", use "The fragile relationship collapsed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fragile building" functions primarily as a descriptive term. It combines the adjective "fragile", which modifies the noun "building", indicating that the structure in question is easily damaged or vulnerable. Ludwig examples show this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fragile building" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable phrase used to describe structures that are weak or easily damaged. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. While not exceptionally common, it appears across various contexts, from news reports to scientific articles, with a neutral register. When using the phrase, be mindful of overuse in metaphorical contexts. Consider alternatives like "delicate structure" or "unstable construction" to add nuance to your writing. Remember to use it when emphasizing the structural weakness in order to convey risk or caution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delicate structure

Emphasizes the fine and easily damaged nature of the building.

unstable construction

Highlights the lack of stability and potential for collapse.

weak edifice

Focuses on the lack of strength in the building's structure.

flimsy building

Suggests the building is poorly constructed and easily damaged.

precarious structure

Implies the building is in a dangerous or unstable position.

rickety building

Indicates a building in disrepair and likely to collapse.

vulnerable building

Highlights the building's susceptibility to damage or attack.

tenuous structure

Emphasizes the insubstantial and easily disrupted nature of the building.

frail construction

Focuses on the delicate and easily broken nature of the building.

decrepit building

Suggests a building that is old, worn out, and in poor condition.

FAQs

What does "fragile building" mean?

"Fragile building" describes a structure that is weak, easily damaged, or in a state of disrepair, making it vulnerable to collapse or destruction.

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

You might say, "The earthquake exacerbated the cracks in the "fragile building", making it unsafe for occupancy."

What are some synonyms for "fragile building"?

Alternatives to "fragile building" include "delicate structure", "unstable construction", or "weak edifice". Each has slightly different nuances depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "fragile building" or "fragile structure"?

Both "fragile building" and "fragile structure" are correct, but "building" specifically implies a constructed edifice, while "structure" is broader and can refer to any arrangement of parts. The best choice depends on the context.