a shred of

USAGE SUMMARY

'a shred of' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe something very small in comparison to what it should/could be. For example, "The team had a shred of hope left that they could successfully complete their goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Without a shred of grace?

The New York Times

"Not a shred of doubt," he said.

The New York Times

Not a shred of evidence is offered.

The Guardian - Opinion

Tantalisingly, though, a shred of doubt remains.

The Guardian - Books

With not a shred of sugar?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"They never had a shred of evidence".

The New York Times

"I have not a shred of regret.

The Guardian

This was a law without a shred of compassion.

University of California, Berkeley

But I could not muster a shred of anxiety.

The New York Times

She shared a shred of llama charqui, or jerky.

The New York Times

"There's not a shred of evidence that these laws work.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a shred of" to emphasize the lack or minimal presence of something, such as "a shred of evidence" or "a shred of hope". This highlights the insufficiency or near absence of the quality being described.

Common error

Avoid using "a shred of" when referring to significant quantities or amounts. It's meant to convey a very small or almost nonexistent presence of something, not a substantial portion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shred of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a very small or negligible amount. Ludwig examples show it frequently used to describe the absence or near absence of qualities like "evidence", "doubt", or "compassion".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

9%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a shred of" is a versatile phrase used to express a minimal quantity or near absence of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, especially in News & Media and Academic contexts. While often used negatively to highlight deficiencies, it can also neutrally describe limited presence. When writing, remember to use "a shred of" to convey a small amount of something. Avoid using it for substantial quantities and consider alternatives like ""a hint of"" or ""a trace of"" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hint of

Subtly suggests the presence of something, often intangible, in a minimal quantity. It focuses on detection rather than volume.

a trace of

Implies an extremely small amount, often barely detectable, emphasizing the remaining presence after something has diminished.

a glimmer of

Suggests a faint or wavering sign of something, often used for hope or understanding, highlighting its fragility.

a shadow of

Indicates a diminished or weakened form of something, often implying a loss of original strength or quality.

an iota of

Emphasizes an extremely small quantity, almost negligible, derived from a Greek letter representing a tiny amount.

a vestige of

Highlights a remaining trace or indication of something that has largely disappeared, emphasizing its historical presence.

a modicum of

Implies a small but adequate amount, often used when the expected amount is much larger, suggesting a limited satisfaction.

a fragment of

Highlights an incomplete piece of something, suggesting that only a part remains, emphasizing incompleteness or breakage.

a particle of

Denotes a minute portion or piece of something, emphasizing its extremely small size and often its scientific context.

a speck of

Implies a tiny spot or mark, often used for physical substances, emphasizing its minute size and often its imperfection.

FAQs

How can I use "a shred of" in a sentence?

You can use "a shred of" to indicate a very small amount of something. For example, "There wasn't "a shred of evidence" to support the claim" or "He showed not "a shred of remorse" for his actions."

What's a good alternative to "a shred of"?

Alternatives to "a shred of" include phrases like "a hint of", "a trace of", or "a glimmer of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each suggests a small quantity or indication of something.

Is it always negative to use "a shred of"?

While "a shred of" is often used in negative contexts to describe the absence or lack of something desirable, it can also be used neutrally. For example, "The gully provides its residents with "a shred of protection" from the hostile outside world." This doesn't inherently imply negativity but rather a limited amount.

Which is correct, "a shred of evidence" or "a piece of evidence"?

Both ""a shred of evidence"" and "a piece of evidence" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "A shred of evidence" emphasizes how minimal or insufficient the evidence is, while "a piece of evidence" is more neutral.