social fabric

USAGE SUMMARY

"social fabric" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to the interconnected social structures and institutions that help define the way that a society functions. For example, "The nation's social fabric has been tested by the ongoing pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The social fabric held.

The New York Times

The social fabric is fraying.

The New York Times

Was the social fabric shredded?

The New York Times - Arts

The social fabric is changing.

The Guardian - Travel

Eventually, the country's social fabric could stretch.

The Economist

"The social fabric has been ripped apart".

The Guardian

It's part of the country's social fabric.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Think of the social fabric," he says.

The Guardian

Already the country's social fabric is tearing.

The Guardian

How to make the social fabric stronger?

The New Yorker

The social fabric has worn paper-thin.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "social fabric" to describe the underlying structures and relationships that define a society's character and stability. It's especially effective when discussing social change, disruption, or cohesion.

Common error

Avoid using "social fabric" to describe individual relationships or small group dynamics. This phrase is most appropriate when discussing broader societal trends and connections.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "social fabric" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As evidenced by Ludwig, it refers to the underlying social structures and relationships that define a society.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "social fabric" is a widely used and accepted term, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It effectively describes the interconnected relationships and structures that define a society. It's most frequently encountered in news and media, business contexts, and scientific discussions. When using this phrase, remember to consider its scope, focusing on broader societal trends rather than individual interactions. Consider using alternative phrases like "social cohesion" or "community bonds" to add nuance or adjust the emphasis of your message. Be mindful of the potentially negative connotation: it typically describes the tearing or weakening of something which should be strong, so using it carries a level of gravity that must be appropriate for the topic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

social cohesion

Highlights the degree of unity and solidarity within a society.

social bonds

Focuses on the connections that hold people together in a society.

societal structure

Focuses more on the organizational aspects of society.

social framework

Similar to social structure, but more abstract.

community bonds

Emphasizes the connections and relationships within a community.

social infrastructure

Highlights the structures and institutions that support social interaction.

social order

Refers to the established norms and arrangements of society.

network of relationships

Stresses the interconnectedness of individuals in a social context.

community spirit

Highlights the collective identity and mutual support within a community.

interpersonal connections

Emphasizes the direct relationships between individuals.

FAQs

How is "social fabric" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "social fabric" is used to describe the interconnected social structures and relationships within a society. For example, one might say, "The economic crisis has weakened the "social fabric" of the nation".

What are some alternatives to using "social fabric"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "social cohesion", "community bonds", or "societal structure".

What does it mean when someone says the "social fabric" is fraying?

When the "social fabric" is said to be fraying, it means that the relationships and structures that hold a society together are weakening or deteriorating, leading to increased instability and division.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "social fabric"?

It's appropriate to use the phrase "social fabric" when discussing broad societal trends, the impact of policies or events on a community, or the state of relationships and trust within a society. It is less suitable for describing individual interactions or small group dynamics.