vulnerable to breakdown

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vulnerable to breakdown" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, system, or individual that is susceptible to failure or collapse under certain conditions. Example: "The aging infrastructure of the city is vulnerable to breakdown during severe weather events."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Even in Tokyo, there has been a humbling realization that the conveniences people took for granted depend on an industrial system teetering on geologic fault lines, and an energy supply vulnerable to breakdown.

The New York Times

The Brennan Center says these old machines are more vulnerable to breakdown, malfunction, and hacking". A number of bipartisan measures in Congress to provide grants for election security, to fund voting equipment with paper back-ups and designate voting systems remain dormant in Congress, lacking and a sense of urgency from either the executive branch or congressional leadership.

The Washington Post

If we assume hybridization necessitates replacement of some elements of traditional knowledge, what pieces make the traditional system vulnerable to breakdown and which pieces retain flexibility?

Pastoralism

Our study findings suggested that communication between multidisciplinary team members, between hospital staff and community service providers, and between hospital staff and patients were vulnerable to breakdown.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Businesses increasingly rely on distributed sensors and controls to monitor and direct manufacturing and shipment of goods, but the networks used today remain vulnerable to breakdowns and intrusion.

Cornell University

Nowadays there is ample evidence that financial systems, whether in Asia in the 1990s or a decade later in the United States and Europe, are vulnerable to breakdowns.

The Guardian - Business

PAGE A9 Behind Blackout, Burnout As officials focus on how to fix the nation's strained power system, operators say the grid's human side is just as overloaded and vulnerable to breakdowns.

The New York Times

Less happily, Wilson, while prolific and driven, was vulnerable to breakdowns and his LSD use had escalated to the point where he used cocaine and heroin to calm down.

The Guardian - Music

A14 Power Grid Staff Overloaded Many of the workers responsible for keeping the country's strained power grid humming say the human side of the system is just as overloaded and vulnerable to breakdowns.

The New York Times

Among the basic lessons of 9/11, two stand out: the agencies tended to put too many resources in a single place; and, in a crisis, communications and chains of command were vulnerable to breakdowns.

The New York Times

But many of the industry workers responsible for keeping the grid humming, as well as independent experts, say the human side of the system is just as overloaded and vulnerable to breakdowns.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing systems or processes, use "vulnerable to breakdown" to highlight specific weaknesses that could lead to operational failure. For example, "The communication system is vulnerable to breakdown during peak hours".

Common error

Avoid using "vulnerable to breakdown" when simpler terms like "fragile" or "unstable" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly dramatic or alarmist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vulnerable to breakdown" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjectival phrase, describing a noun's susceptibility to failure or collapse. This construction commonly appears to highlight weaknesses or potential failure points in systems, structures, or processes. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "vulnerable to breakdown" is a grammatically sound and generally accepted way to describe a susceptibility to failure or collapse. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's more common in neutral to formal contexts like news, science, and business. Alternative phrases such as "susceptible to failure" or "prone to collapse" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey. When using this phrase, ensure it fits the tone and avoid overuse, which can make writing sound overly dramatic. Understanding these nuances will help you use "vulnerable to breakdown" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

susceptible to failure

Replaces "breakdown" with the more general term "failure".

prone to collapse

Emphasizes the likelihood of a sudden and complete failure.

at risk of disintegration

Focuses on the gradual process of falling apart.

liable to malfunction

Highlights the potential for operational problems.

weakened and easily disrupted

Describes a state of diminished resistance to external forces.

unstable and prone to disruption

Highlights a lack of stability which leads to disruption.

in danger of collapsing

Emphasizes an imminent risk.

subject to operational failure

Specifies the type of failure as related to operation.

predisposed to breaking down

Suggests an inherent tendency toward failure.

fragile and easily damaged

Focuses on the delicate nature and low resistance to harm.

FAQs

How can I use "vulnerable to breakdown" in a sentence?

Use "vulnerable to breakdown" to describe something susceptible to failure or collapse. For example, "The old bridge is "vulnerable to breakdown" under heavy traffic".

What are some alternatives to "vulnerable to breakdown"?

You can use alternatives like "susceptible to failure", "prone to collapse", or "at risk of disintegration" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "vulnerable to breakdown" or "prone to breakdown"?

"Vulnerable to breakdown" and "prone to breakdown" are similar, but "vulnerable" implies a weakness that can be exploited, while "prone" suggests a natural tendency. Choose the one that best fits the context.

What makes a system "vulnerable to breakdown"?

A system might be "vulnerable to breakdown" due to age, poor design, lack of maintenance, or external pressures. Identifying these vulnerabilities is crucial for preventing failures.