a pretty tenuous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pretty tenuous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, argument, or relationship that is weak or not well-founded. Example: "The evidence presented in the report is a pretty tenuous link to the conclusion drawn by the researchers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And I think that this must have something to do with the fact that the fighters are so young, are often drunk or high, and have a pretty tenuous sense of the reality and the consequences of what they're doing.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sad though the anecdote is, the link to getting an abortion feels pretty tenuous.

Vice

As sad as the anecdote is, the link to getting an abortion feels pretty tenuous.

Vice

Still, the case that they are a "game changer" has been pretty tenuous — and it is hard to move the numbers in the first place in a partisan environment like this one.

The New York Times

The result is certainly good news for the film's star, Sam Claflin, whose claim to be a bankable leading man had looked pretty tenuous.

The Guardian - Film

But for Egypt's armies of day labourers, street vendors and domestics, employment is pretty tenuous; and only a third of women of working age are in the labour force.It is possible to live a comfortable rich-world sort of life in Egypt, and many people do; in some ways it is easier than in well-off countries because maids and cooks and drivers are cheap.

The Economist

And Shashank Joshi of the Royal United Services Institute in London noted that "a lot of [Kabul's] control is pretty tenuous".

Huffington Post

But between steady work as a carpenter and the romance he has going with a gorgeous wealthy neighbor, Sam's claim on existential angst seems pretty tenuous.

The New York Times - Books

In fact, the similarity was pretty tenuous.

Independent

My existence seemed pretty tenuous anyway, they figured.

The New York Times

But the connection between overall fat intake and bad health outcomes is looking pretty tenuous.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a pretty tenuous", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being described as weak or uncertain. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the overall message.

Common error

Avoid using "a pretty tenuous" when the connection or claim is completely unfounded. The phrase implies some level of plausibility, however slight, so choose a more definitive term if there is no basis at all.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pretty tenuous" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that something is weak, uncertain, or lacks a strong foundation. As Ludwig AI suggests, it conveys that something is not firmly established.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a pretty tenuous" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something as weak, uncertain, or lacking a strong foundation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not extremely common, it appears primarily in News & Media and Science contexts. Alternatives include "a rather weak" or "a somewhat fragile". When using this phrase, ensure that the context is clear and that it accurately reflects the degree of uncertainty or weakness you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rather weak

Replaces "pretty" with "rather", indicating a slightly more formal tone and a similar degree of weakness.

a somewhat fragile

Substitutes "tenuous" with "fragile", emphasizing the delicate and easily broken nature of something.

a fairly flimsy

Uses "flimsy" instead of "tenuous", highlighting the lack of substance or strength.

a quite uncertain

Replaces "tenuous" with "uncertain", focusing on the doubtful or questionable aspect.

a decidedly shaky

Employs "shaky" to convey instability and lack of solid foundation.

a significantly doubtful

Replace "tenuous" with "doubtful", focusing on incredulity.

a markedly questionable

Replace "tenuous" with "questionable", implying the veracity is dubious.

a notably unsubstantiated

Use "unsubstantiated" instead of "tenuous", indicating the absence of supporting facts or data.

a vaguely supported

Replaces "tenuous" with "supported", emphasizing the limited backing or evidence.

a remotely plausible

Substitutes "tenuous" with "plausible", suggesting a distant possibility or likelihood.

FAQs

How can I use "a pretty tenuous" in a sentence?

You can use "a pretty tenuous" to describe a connection, argument, or situation that is weak or uncertain. For example, "The link between the two events is "a pretty tenuous"."

What can I say instead of "a pretty tenuous"?

Alternatives include "a rather weak", "a somewhat fragile", or "a fairly flimsy" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a pretty tenuous" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a pretty tenuous" might be considered slightly informal due to the use of "pretty". In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "a rather weak" or "a somewhat uncertain".

What's the difference between "a pretty tenuous" and "a very tenuous"?

"A pretty tenuous" and "a very tenuous" both indicate weakness, but "pretty" can soften the statement slightly compared to "very", making it less direct. The choice depends on the desired level of emphasis.