frail constitution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "frail constitution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has a weak or delicate physical condition or health. Example: "Due to her frail constitution, she often fell ill during the winter months."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This category included people of frail constitution (often sick), patients weakened by a disease (cancer, AIDS, asthma), elderly people (aged > 70 years), and young children (aged < 3 years old for parents, and < 10 years old for non-parents).

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Dr. Mandelker explains, from Ra, that humans were created somewhat frail in physical strength and constitution so as to encourage interdependence and social formation, thus potentially helping one another and thus more rapidly evolving in consciousness and potential.

Huffington Post

The gathering's 2,000 paid attendees were drawn from bloggers, blog commenters and even "lurkers" -- the silent majority of visitors who scour online conversations without participating -- all focused on electing Obama, stopping the war, restoring the Constitution and calcifying the frail backbone of the Democratic Congress.

Huffington Post

Constitutional Commissions, 1987 Constitution.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

Raising his other hand, he pledged to protect the constitution, as he was sworn in by the frail-looking US chief justice, William Rehnquist, 80, who has been suffering from thyroid cancer.

The Guardian

How frail!

The Guardian - Opinion

He became frail.

The New Yorker

He was very frail.

The New Yorker

He looked frail, fidgety.

The Guardian - Tech

Is Benedict frail?

The New York Times

His heart is frail.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's general health, consider using "frail constitution" to emphasize a long-term or inherent weakness, rather than a temporary illness. This phrase is suitable when discussing someone's overall physical disposition.

Common error

Avoid using "frail constitution" to describe a short-term illness or temporary weakness. This phrase implies a more enduring or fundamental vulnerability in someone's health. Instead, use terms like "temporary weakness" or "recovering from illness" for short-term situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "frail constitution" functions as a noun phrase, where "frail" modifies the noun "constitution". According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. It is used to describe the physical condition of a person.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "frail constitution" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a state of physical weakness or vulnerability, as validated by Ludwig. It appears in both scientific and news contexts, although its usage is relatively rare. Ludwig's analysis suggests that while appropriate for formal and informal writing, it's crucial to use it accurately, especially when describing a long-term inherent frailty. Alternatives like "weak constitution" or "delicate constitution" may be considered for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weak constitution

Direct synonym replacing "frail" with "weak", maintaining the core meaning.

delicate constitution

"Delicate" implies a refined or fragile nature, similar to "frail".

fragile health

Focuses on the state of health being easily compromised.

poor health

A more general term indicating a lack of robustness in health.

precarious health

"Precarious" suggests a state of health that is unstable and at risk.

vulnerable physique

Emphasizes the physical susceptibility to illness or injury.

susceptible nature

Highlights an inherent tendency towards weakness or illness.

unhealthy condition

A broad term referring to a state of being not in good health.

debilitated state

Describes a condition of being weakened or impaired.

feeble body

Highlights the physical weakness and lack of strength.

FAQs

How can I use "frail constitution" in a sentence?

You can use "frail constitution" to describe someone who is generally weak or susceptible to illness. For example: "Due to his frail constitution, he often caught colds during the winter months."

What is a synonym for "frail constitution"?

A synonym for "frail constitution" is "weak constitution". Both phrases describe a state of being physically delicate or easily made ill.

Is it appropriate to use "frail constitution" in formal writing?

Yes, "frail constitution" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in medical or historical contexts. It's a descriptive phrase that clearly conveys a specific meaning.

What's the difference between "frail constitution" and "poor health"?

"Frail constitution" implies a more inherent or long-term weakness, whereas "poor health" is a more general term that can refer to temporary or chronic conditions. Someone with a "frail constitution" may experience "poor health" more frequently.