highly fragile

USAGE SUMMARY

'highly fragile' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is very easy to break or be damaged in any way. For example: "This antique vase is highly fragile, so handle it with care."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

It finds that roughly 14percentt of the sample score in the highly fragile range.

Harvard University

In this highly fragile situation, Angela Merkel's government is trying to run down the clock.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even her preferred paper -- newsprint, a highly fragile material -- limits the life expectancy of her work.

The New York Times

It makes the social order of the modern city highly fragile under economic stress.

The Guardian

To underscore the highly fragile state of the talks, there was more activity in the courts Friday.

The New York Times - Sports

While the Sons of Iraq movement has been a leading contributor toward the reduction of violence against American troops, it remains highly fragile.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Scientists had thought the highly porous, extremely fragile particles couldn't survive on Earth.

Science Magazine

The nasal bones are extremely fragile and highly damaged.

Plosone

As details of their painfully wrought deal gradually emerged, a picture formed of a highly complicated, optimistically sequenced, extremely fragile accord.

The Guardian

Some of these particulates can be highly transparent, fragile, and unstable.

AAPS Journal

For example, cell-autonomous post-transcriptional regulation by the highly conserved Fragile-X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP) is essential for limiting the expansion of both postsynaptic dendritic spines in mammals and presynaptic arbors in Drosophila (Gao, 2002).

Development (Cambridge)

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts like international relations or economic situations as "highly fragile", ensure the context clearly explains what specific factors contribute to this fragility. For example, instead of just saying "the peace is highly fragile", specify, "the peace is "highly fragile" due to ongoing political tensions and economic instability".

Common error

Avoid using "highly fragile" repeatedly within a single piece of writing to describe similar situations. Vary your language by using synonyms like "vulnerable", "delicate", or "unstable" to maintain reader engagement and avoid redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly fragile" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate a high degree of vulnerability or susceptibility to damage, breakage, or disruption, as Ludwig examples shows.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "highly fragile" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something easily damaged or disrupted. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. Appearing frequently in "News & Media", "Science", and "Academia", it conveys a sense of vulnerability and the need for careful handling. While versatile, avoid overuse by employing synonyms like "extremely delicate" or "very vulnerable". Using "highly fragile" effectively involves providing specific context to clarify the source of the fragility, enhancing clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely delicate

Changes the intensity and word choice to convey fragility.

easily broken

Replaces "fragile" with a more direct and common synonym.

very vulnerable

Shifts the focus to the susceptibility to harm or damage.

inherently unstable

Highlights the lack of stability as the primary characteristic.

susceptible to damage

Emphasizes the likelihood of incurring damage.

in a precarious state

Focuses on the uncertainty and risk associated with the condition.

on the verge of collapse

Implies an imminent failure or breakdown.

liable to break

Highlights the propensity to break easily.

easily compromised

Shifts the focus to a lack of security or integrity.

crumbles easily

Emphasizes the manner in which an item falls apart when damaged

FAQs

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

You can use "highly fragile" to describe something easily broken or damaged. For example, "The antique vase is "highly fragile" and must be handled with care."

What are some alternatives to "highly fragile"?

Alternatives to "highly fragile" include "extremely delicate", "easily broken", and "very vulnerable".

Is it correct to say something is "highly fragile"?

Yes, it's correct. "Highly fragile" is a common and accepted way to describe something that is easily damaged or broken.

What does "highly fragile" mean?

"Highly fragile" means something is very easily broken, damaged, or disrupted. It implies a significant degree of vulnerability.