a crumb of consolation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a crumb of consolation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small amount of comfort or solace in a difficult situation. Example: "After the disappointing news, all I could find was a crumb of consolation in the support of my friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

A crumb of consolation was that Carter's 144 break became the front runner for the £10,000 highest break prize.

The Guardian - Sport

The half ended with Mujati returning just after Nathan Hines dropped a restart after what looked like a crumb of consolation, Sexton's second penalty.

The Guardian - Sport

The 2-1 defeatoTranmereere on Saturday was a tough one to take, but I offered my congratulations to some of their supporters on the way back to the station and a kind man offered a crumb of consolation by pointing out that the last two defeated finalists in the play-offs have returned the next year to win.

The Guardian - Sport

In mitigation to Ince, he was entitled to reflect that his team made it a busier 90 minutes for the goalkeeper than Edwin van der Sar often faces but it was only a crumb of consolation given the way Blackburn's defence collapsed.

The Guardian - Sport

Sinclair had the ball in Bayern's net, but Celtic were denied even a crumb of consolation when the offside flag went up.

BBC

By way of a crumb of consolation for Deila, both Lennon and Gordon Strachan failed to qualify for the Champions League in their first campaigns before going on to enjoy success.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The Brigadier offers a crumb of comfort.

The Guardian - Money

The one small crumb of consolation in Chen Guixiang's story was a postscript.

BBC

One crumb of consolation is that the damage was to Wilshere's left ankle, rather than the more problematic right one, which kept him out for 17 months from June 2011.

The Guardian - Sport

A crumb of hope.

The New York Times

A crumb of helpless goodness for him.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a crumb of consolation" to acknowledge a minor positive aspect amidst predominantly negative circumstances. It effectively conveys a sense of understated relief.

Common error

Avoid using "a crumb of consolation" when describing substantial or meaningful relief. The phrase is intended for trivial comforts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a crumb of consolation" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a crumb of consolation" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that conveys a minimal amount of comfort amidst disappointment. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its appropriateness for describing situations where solace is scarce. It is most frequently found in news and media, and academic contexts. When writing, ensure that it accurately reflects the scale of the comfort being described, avoiding overstatement. Consider using alternatives like "a small comfort" or "a sliver of hope" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small comfort

Focuses on the minimal level of relief provided.

a meager consolation

Stresses the inadequacy of the comfort offered.

a faint solace

Highlights the weakness of the comfort.

a mere solace

Underscores the insignificance of the comfort.

a trace of comfort

Emphasizes the minimal presence of solace.

a sliver of hope

Emphasizes the small amount of optimism present.

a touch of relief

Focuses on the slight easing of distress.

a particle of comfort

Highlights the extremely small amount of consolation.

a hint of reassurance

Highlights the subtle feeling of being comforted.

the smallest mercy

Emphasizes that even the smallest thing could be a comfort.

FAQs

How can I use "a crumb of consolation" in a sentence?

Use "a crumb of consolation" to indicate a small amount of comfort or relief in an otherwise negative situation. For example, "After the defeat, the player found "a crumb of consolation" in his improved personal score."

What are some alternatives to saying "a crumb of consolation"?

You can use alternatives like "a small comfort", "a sliver of hope", or "a faint solace" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a crumb of consolation" in formal writing?

Yes, "a crumb of consolation" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when discussing situations where only minimal comfort can be found. However, be mindful of the tone and ensure it aligns with the overall message.

What's the difference between "a crumb of consolation" and "a ray of hope"?

"A crumb of consolation" implies a very small amount of comfort in a largely negative situation. "A ray of hope" suggests a more significant, though still limited, source of optimism for the future.