fragile stability

USAGE SUMMARY

"fragile stability" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation that appears stable but is actually vulnerable to change or disruption. For example, "The country's fragile stability was threatened by ongoing political unrest." Alternative expressions include "delicate balance" and "precarious equilibrium."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

And what about Northern Ireland, part of whose fragile stability depends on human rights?

The Guardian - Opinion

The result could threaten the fragile stability attained in much of Iraq in recent months.

The New York Times

Today's fragile stability could quickly dissolve into violent chaos.This nightmare scenario is avoidable.

The Economist

Fragile stability, let alone institutionalization of democracy, remains elusive in Iraq.

The New York Times

United Nations officials said the attack underscored the fragile stability in the country.

The New York Times

The chairman cautioned that the proposals represented "a fragile stability for the organization".

The New York Times

By the mid-1960s the fragile stability of Northern Ireland had begun to erode.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

These data indicate that BRCA1 is important in fragile-site stability and that fragile sites are recognized by the G(2)/M checkpoint pathway, in which BRCA1 plays a key role.

Duke University

Casper, A., Nghiem, P., Arlt, M. & Glover, T. ATR regulates fragile site stability.

Nature

Casper, A. M., Nghiem, P., Arlt, M. F. & Glover, T. W. ATR regulates fragile site stability.

Nature

Investors in Africa's cashew trade today remain cautious, concerned over whether the fragile political stability will last.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fragile stability", ensure that the context clearly indicates what factors could disrupt this stability. Provide specific examples or conditions that make the situation precarious.

Common error

Avoid using "fragile stability" when describing situations that are demonstrably resilient or have withstood significant challenges. This phrase is best reserved for scenarios where the potential for collapse is evident.

Linguistic Context

Fragile stability functions as a descriptive phrase, combining an adjective ("fragile") with a noun ("stability") to characterize a specific type of stability that is easily disrupted. The examples provided by Ludwig indicate its use in various contexts, such as political situations, economies, and personal well-being. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

13%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fragile stability" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that describes a situation where stability exists but is easily disrupted. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and practical usability. Its primary function is descriptive, serving to highlight the precarious nature of a given state. The phrase is frequently employed in news and media, as well as scientific and academic contexts. When using "fragile stability", it's important to provide context about the factors that threaten this stability and avoid using it in situations that are demonstrably resilient. Alternatives such as "tenuous stability" or "precarious stability" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tenuous stability

Replaces "fragile" with "tenuous", emphasizing the delicate and easily disrupted nature of the stability.

precarious stability

Substitutes "fragile" with "precarious", highlighting the risk and uncertainty associated with the stability.

unstable equilibrium

Replaces "fragile stability" with "unstable equilibrium", focusing on the balance being easily upset.

delicate balance

This phrase captures the idea that the current state is maintained by carefully managed factors that could easily be disrupted.

shaky stability

Uses "shaky" instead of "fragile" to describe the instability of the situation.

vulnerable stability

By using "vulnerable" it highlights the susceptibility of the stability to external factors or internal weaknesses.

uncertain stability

Changes "fragile" to "uncertain", putting the emphasis on the unpredictable nature of the stability.

brittle stability

Replacing "fragile" with "brittle" suggests that the stability could break or shatter suddenly under pressure.

weak stability

Replaces "fragile" with "weak", indicating that the stability is lacking in strength and resilience.

undeveloped stability

Highlights that the stability is present but not fully realized or strengthened.

FAQs

What does "fragile stability" mean?

The term "fragile stability" refers to a situation or state that appears stable, but is actually easily disrupted or overturned by internal or external pressures. It implies a lack of resilience and a vulnerability to change.

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

You might say, "The ceasefire brought a "fragile stability" to the region, but tensions remain high" or "The company's "fragile stability" depends heavily on continued government subsidies."

What are some alternatives to "fragile stability"?

Depending on the specific nuance you want to convey, you could use phrases like "tenuous stability", "precarious stability", or "unstable equilibrium".

Is "fragile stability" redundant? Doesn't stability imply strength?

While stability often implies strength, "fragile stability" is not necessarily redundant. It highlights a condition where the forces maintaining equilibrium are weak or easily overcome, thus emphasizing the vulnerability of the situation.