fragile connection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fragile connection" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a relationship or link that is weak or easily disrupted. Example: "Their friendship was a fragile connection, often strained by misunderstandings and distance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The reading solidified the sometimes fragile connection between father and son.

The New Yorker

But as soon as they perceived that only the Smith interest was being served they broke the very fragile connection.

The New York Times

As though knowing this, the filmmakers Eleanor Burke and Ron Eyal keep their rhythms slow and their camera steady as two lonely souls form a fragile connection.

The New York Times

They portray the returning Vietnam veteran as an isolated individual who had only a fragile connection to the rest of American society.

The New York Times

Later the dancers lay on the floor, holding the sticks end to end to form a long line and fighting to keep that line unbroken as they rotated their bodies around the fragile connection.

The New York Times - Arts

Margaret Helfand, the 2001 president of the American Institute of Architects, considered the designs too timid, saying they bore only a fragile connection to the rest of the site, the neighborhood and city.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Complex application architecture and rigid data integration: Without an underlying, connective data structure, companies must later design a system to connect various data silos, which often results in complex, fragile connections.

TechCrunch

Another important theme is the essential but fragile connections between environmental health and human health.

Harvard University

Borsook, in deconstructing the myth of the freewheeling Silicon Valley technogogue, exposes the fragile connections between the Randian pretensions of today's near-religious egotism and the genuinely libertarian fringe from the salad days of the Internet.

Yale University

The narrator's unusual approach to his diary has been occasioned by a panicky moment of childhood trauma that exposed the fragile connections between body and mind; this is combined with a kind of evanescence he experiences as his ailing father fades away and he feels himself like the shadow of a ghost, terrified of looking in the mirror.

The Guardian - Books

Bridging social capital builds weak, loose, or fragile connections between heterogeneous groups lacking internally cohesive or emotionally close relationships.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing interpersonal relationships, use "fragile connection" to convey a sense of vulnerability and the potential for the relationship to easily dissolve. For instance, a newly formed friendship might be described as a "fragile connection".

Common error

Avoid using "fragile connection" in highly formal or technical writing where more precise or stronger terms might be more appropriate. In these contexts, consider alternatives like "tenuous link" or "unstable association" for greater clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fragile connection" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "fragile" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "connection". It describes a connection that is easily disrupted or broken. As Ludwig AI explains, this is a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fragile connection" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable expression that describes a weak or easily disrupted relationship. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, it's important to consider the level of formality required for your specific writing purpose. Alternatives such as "tenuous link" or "delicate bond" may be suitable depending on the context. The provided examples and writing guidance should help you effectively and appropriately use "fragile connection" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

easily broken bond

Expands on "fragile" to explicitly state the ease with which the bond can be broken.

vulnerable link

Replaces "fragile" with "vulnerable", emphasizing the susceptibility to damage or disruption.

tenuous link

Replaces "connection" with "link" and "fragile" with "tenuous", suggesting a weak and easily broken association.

delicate bond

Substitutes "connection" with "bond" and "fragile" with "delicate", emphasizing the vulnerability of the relationship.

brittle relationship

Uses "brittle" instead of "fragile", suggesting a tendency to break easily under stress.

weak relationship

Replaces "connection" with "relationship" and "fragile" with "weak", highlighting the lack of strength in the bond.

flimsy tie

Replaces "connection" with "tie" and "fragile" with "flimsy", highlighting the lack of substance and strength.

shaky alliance

Synonymous substitution of "fragile connection" highlights an instable alliance.

unstable association

Changes "connection" to "association" and "fragile" to "unstable", focusing on the precariousness of the link.

precarious alliance

Substitutes "connection" with "alliance" and "fragile" with "precarious", indicating a risky or uncertain partnership.

FAQs

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

You might say, "The peace treaty established a "fragile connection" between the warring nations, easily threatened by renewed conflict." or "Their shared love of books formed a "fragile connection", but differing life goals eventually pulled them apart."

What's the difference between a "fragile connection" and a "strong bond"?

A ""fragile connection"" implies a weak, easily broken relationship, while a "strong bond" suggests a robust, resilient relationship built on trust and mutual understanding.

What can I say instead of "fragile connection"?

You can use alternatives like "tenuous link", "delicate bond", or "weak relationship" depending on the specific context.

Is "fragile connection" appropriate for academic writing?

While "fragile connection" is understandable, consider using more precise and formal terms like "unstable association" or "precarious alliance" in academic writing to convey a more scholarly tone.