a faint hope

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a faint hope" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a very small or uncertain possibility of something happening. Example: "Despite the challenges ahead, there remains a faint hope that we can turn things around."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

This seems a faint hope today.

The Guardian - Opinion

Publicly, the president maintained a faint hope that a deal could still be reached before Friday.

The New York Times

"Crocked off?" Dr. Harden's voice expressed a faint hope that this might be some new honor.

The New Yorker

I had a faint hope that someone else might show up before long.

The New Yorker

It was a faint hope because I was bullied a lot.

The Guardian - Sport

The Mets appeared to have only a faint hope of re-signing him because of their considerable financial constraints.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Tebow finished 20 of 35 passing for 247 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception — a turnover that ended any faint hope of a Florida comeback with 11 minutes 51 seconds left in the game.

The New York Times - Sports

Only the presence of Tom Hollander as the eponymous doctor and Community's Alison Brie as an American heiress offer a very faint hope that Doctor Thorne can pull it round in its three-episode run.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The second was a 2-yard reception that cut the Giants' deficit to 2 in the closing minute, with D. J. Ware running in the 2-point conversion to give the Giants hope — a faint, fleeting hope — of overtime.

The New York Times - Sports

It seems eyes are the only ornament left of their beautiful faces; eyes like lanterns holding out a glimmer of faint hope.

The New York Times

Latinobarometro has conducted similar opinion surveys regularly since 1996, so the poll is good at capturing changes in opinion over time, and between countries.What emerges is a ray of faint hope for democrats.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a faint hope" to express a small, uncertain possibility, especially when acknowledging unfavorable circumstances. It's effective for conveying cautious optimism.

Common error

Avoid using "a faint hope" when the situation suggests a stronger possibility or certainty. Opt for phrases like "reasonable expectation" or "realistic chance" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a faint hope" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It expresses a diminished or uncertain expectation. Ludwig examples show it used to indicate a slight chance of a positive outcome amidst unfavorable conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Sport

14%

Opinion

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a faint hope" is a noun phrase used to express a small, uncertain possibility. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news, sports, and opinion pieces. The phrase is neutrally registered, authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian employ it and conveys a cautious optimism, acknowledging that the odds are not in one's favor. Related phrases include "a slim chance" and "a glimmer of hope". When using the phrase, be sure that the described scenario doesn't merit a stronger statement like "realistic chance".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slim chance

Indicates a slightly reduced probability compared to "a faint hope".

a glimmer of hope

Emphasizes the positive aspect of the possibility, suggesting a small light in a dark situation.

a slight possibility

Focuses on the possibility itself, rather than the emotional aspect of hope.

a remote chance

Highlights the unlikelihood of the event occurring.

a distant hope

Suggests the desired outcome is far off in the future or unlikely to be realized.

a negligible prospect

Indicates that the chance is so small it's almost not worth considering.

a fragile expectation

Highlights the vulnerability and uncertainty of the expectation.

a thin expectation

Suggests there is little support or reason to believe the expectation will be met.

a shadow of a chance

Implies an even smaller probability than "a faint hope".

a mere possibility

Emphasizes the bare minimum level of chance.

FAQs

How can I use "a faint hope" in a sentence?

You can use "a faint hope" to describe a small or uncertain possibility. For example, "Despite the setbacks, there's still "a faint hope" that we can achieve our goals."

What can I say instead of "a faint hope"?

You can use alternatives like "a slim chance", "a glimmer of hope", or "a slight possibility" depending on the context.

Is "a faint hope" different from "a strong hope"?

"A faint hope" implies a small and uncertain possibility, while "a strong hope" suggests a confident expectation. They represent opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of certainty and likelihood.

When is it appropriate to use "a faint hope"?

It's appropriate to use "a faint hope" when you want to acknowledge a small chance of something happening, often in situations where the odds are stacked against you or the outcome is uncertain.