precarious balance

USAGE SUMMARY

'precarious balance' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a state of affairs that is unstable or uncertain, and can easily slip out of balance. For example, you could say "The economy is in a precarious balance, and a slight shift could cause a major disruption."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Life is a precarious balance.

The New York Times

This precarious balance is crucial.

The New York Times - Food

They have to maintain a precarious balance.

The Economist

The best dictionaries maintain a precarious balance.

The New York Times - Books

Something happened to upset the precarious balance.

The Guardian - Books

The precarious balance used to be merely unsettling.

The New York Times

All of our top wines achieved this precarious balance.

The New York Times

Ladders can be symbols of tension and precarious balance.

The Washington Post

Annich, G. Extracorporeal life support: the precarious balance of hemostasis.

Nature

Still, its precarious balance sheet constrains flexibility and growth.

Harvard Business Review

The book focuses on the precarious balance between transportation planning and stewardship of the public realm.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "precarious balance" to emphasize the vulnerability and potential instability of a situation, encouraging careful consideration and proactive measures.

Common error

Avoid using "precarious balance" in situations where instability is already heavily implied by other descriptors. Overuse can dilute the phrase's impact and make your writing seem repetitive. Instead, opt for more direct language or focus on specific aspects of the instability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "precarious balance" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It describes a state of equilibrium that is unstable and prone to disruption. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

18%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "precarious balance" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys the idea of an unstable or uncertain equilibrium. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts such as News & Media, Academia, and Science. When using this phrase, it is important to provide context about the elements being balanced and the potential risks of imbalance. Alternatives include "risky equilibrium" or "fragile situation". By avoiding overuse and ensuring clarity, you can leverage "precarious balance" to enhance the impact of your writing and emphasize the vulnerability of a given state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

risky equilibrium

Replaces "balance" with "equilibrium", emphasizing the unstable state.

unstable equilibrium

Uses "unstable" instead of "precarious", focusing on the lack of stability.

fragile equilibrium

Substitutes "precarious" with "fragile" to convey a delicate state.

tenuous equilibrium

Employs "tenuous" to highlight the slightness or weakness of the balance.

delicate equilibrium

Replaces "precarious" with "delicate", suggesting a need for careful handling.

shaky equilibrium

Replaces "precarious" with "shaky" indicating instability

uncertain equilibrium

Shifts the focus to the uncertainty of the balance rather than its riskiness.

unstable situation

Broadens the scope from "balance" to the overall "situation" being unstable.

fragile situation

Similar to "unstable situation" but uses "fragile" to describe it.

unstable state of affairs

Expands the phrase to describe a general "state of affairs" lacking stability.

FAQs

How can I use "precarious balance" in a sentence?

You can use "precarious balance" to describe situations where stability is uncertain and easily disrupted. For example, "The company's finances are in a "precarious balance" due to market volatility."

What are some alternatives to "precarious balance"?

Some alternatives to "precarious balance" include "risky equilibrium", "fragile equilibrium", and "unstable situation". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What does "precarious balance" mean?

"Precarious balance" refers to a situation or state where stability is uncertain and easily disrupted. It implies a delicate or risky state that requires careful management to avoid collapse or imbalance.

Is "precarious balance" formal or informal?

"Precarious balance" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in news articles, academic papers, and general discussions due to its clear and widely understood meaning.