is fragile to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is fragile to" is not commonly used in written English.
It is possible to use it, but it may sound awkward or incorrect to native speakers. A more common and correct phrase would be "is fragile and is susceptible to." Here is an example of how you could use it in a sentence: "The glass vase is fragile and is susceptible to breaking easily if mishandled."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Quantum information system is fragile to be disturbed by the external environment.

The Journal of China Universities of Posts and Telecommunications

"There's clearly a medal opportunity there, and the relationship between Chad and Shani is fragile, to put things mildly," he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

The analyses reveal that the magnitude of the death signal is fragile to perturbations in degradation parameters (failures in the ubiquitin/proteasome mechanism) while the timing of signal expression can be tuned by manipulating local parameters.

Biophysical Journal

However, it is fragile to median filtering.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

But it is fragile to contrast adjustment and gamma correction.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

It can be used for tamper detection, but is fragile to some digital processing like contrast adjustment and brightness adjustment.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The democracies Washington has supported in the region are fragile to some degree.

The New York Times

Acetates are fragile to begin with so the fact that it survived a trip from Nicaragua to New Orleans is amazing.

The Guardian - Music

The paper finds that all cities are fragile to some degree, though intensity varies in relation to the aggregation of risk.

Harvard University

Those doors were fragile to start with.

Forbes

PHB granules at amorphous status are fragile to chemical hydrolysis.

AMB Express

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is fragile to", consider whether a more common and readily understood alternative, such as "is susceptible to" or "is vulnerable to", might improve clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "is fragile to" in contexts where simpler terms like "is delicate" or "is easily broken" would suffice. This helps maintain a natural and less awkward tone, especially in informal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is fragile to" primarily functions as a predicate adjective describing the subject's vulnerability or susceptibility to an external factor. Ludwig's examples demonstrate this in scientific and general contexts, though Ludwig AI suggests more common alternatives might be preferable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is fragile to" indicates a vulnerability or susceptibility, although it's not as common as alternatives like "is vulnerable to" or "is susceptible to". Ludwig AI points out that it can sound slightly awkward. It's mostly used in scientific and news contexts. When writing, consider more common alternatives for improved clarity. While grammatically acceptable, prioritizing clearer and more familiar phrasing might enhance your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is susceptible to

Indicates a vulnerability or tendency to be affected by something, similar to "is fragile to" but more commonly used.

is vulnerable to

Implies a weakness that can be easily exploited, similar in meaning but emphasizes potential harm.

is prone to

Suggests a tendency to experience something negative, like damage or failure, sharing the sense of susceptibility.

is easily affected by

Highlights the ease with which something can be influenced or harmed, focusing on the impact.

is sensitive to

Emphasizes a heightened responsiveness or vulnerability to specific stimuli or conditions.

is at risk from

Focuses on the potential danger or harm that something faces, indicating a state of being threatened.

is subject to

Indicates that something is likely to experience a particular effect or action, suggesting a lack of control.

is liable to

Similar to "prone to", suggesting a predisposition or likelihood of experiencing something, often negative.

is predisposed to

Implies an inherent tendency or susceptibility to something, highlighting a pre-existing vulnerability.

is open to

Suggests a lack of protection or resistance, making something susceptible to external influences or damage.

FAQs

What does "is fragile to" mean?

The phrase "is fragile to" means something is easily damaged or negatively affected by something else. It indicates a vulnerability or lack of resistance.

Is "is fragile to" grammatically correct?

While technically correct, "is fragile to" can sound awkward. Alternatives like "is vulnerable to" or "is susceptible to" are often preferred.

What are some alternatives to "is fragile to"?

You can use phrases such as "is prone to", "is easily affected by", or "is sensitive to" as alternatives to "is fragile to" depending on the context.

When should I use "is fragile to"?

Use "is fragile to" when you want to emphasize the ease with which something can be harmed or disrupted by a specific factor. However, consider whether a more common phrase would be clearer.