a shred of integrity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a shred of integrity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very small amount of honesty or moral principles in someone or something. Example: "Despite the numerous lies he told, I was surprised to find that he still had a shred of integrity left."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"If Bishop Murphy had a shred of integrity, he already would have been on Brian's phone, on my phone," Mr. Salveson said.

The New York Times

As Mote's sentence was less than a year he was permitted to keep his seat in the European parliament, something Nigel Farage condemned, saying: "If Mote had a shred of integrity left, he'd resign".

The Guardian

To my mind, the only approach that retains a shred of integrity is to admit with ruthless candour: I eat this because my pursuit of pleasure trumps the wellbeing, comfort and rights, such as they are, of this animal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr. Kitano often plays around with the theme of the only man left on earth with a shred of integrity -- a Gary Cooper who shoots first -- and in "Brother" he's so distanced that he barely speaks; he has no dialogue in the first five minutes of the film.

The New York Times

We told you the President didn't have a "shred of integrity" on Benghazi.

Huffington Post

The A.V. Clubs Nathan Rabin praised its "substance, social commentary, righteous anger, ornery humanism, dark humor, and even Christianity", calling it "one of those wonderful crossover albums that appeal to a huge audience without sacrificing a shred of integrity".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

He had no case and lost any shred of integrity he had left.

TechCrunch

But any shred of integrity the committees may have had went flying out the window when The Washington Post revealed last week that the White House had persuaded the chairs of each committee, Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) and Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA), to call members of the press and discredit intelligence reports that Trump associates had regular contact with Russian officials during the campaign.

Huffington Post

With that gimmick, the movie sacrifices its last shred of integrity.

The New York Times

This is often worsened by the V.A.'s labyrinthine bureaucracy, by prejudice and by those who question the veterans' integrity and the validity of their neuropsychiatric wounds -- without offering a shred of evidence.

The New York Times

Without a shred of grace?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To increase impact, combine the phrase with strong verbs, such as 'lost', 'retained', or 'sacrificed'.

Common error

Avoid using "a shred of integrity" when describing someone who is generally honest and ethical. The phrase implies a minimal amount of integrity, suggesting it's barely present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shred of integrity" functions as a noun phrase acting as an object or complement within a sentence. It typically modifies a verb to describe the extent to which someone or something possesses or lacks integrity. Ludwig examples highlight its usage in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

14%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a shred of integrity" is a phrase used to indicate a very small or questionable amount of honesty or moral principles. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and notes its presence in various sources, primarily News & Media. The phrase serves to express criticism or concern regarding ethical standards. To use it effectively, ensure that the context reflects a situation where integrity is largely absent but not entirely nonexistent. Consider that alternatives like "a hint of integrity" or "a trace of integrity" might better suit certain situations where the degree of integrity is even less perceptible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hint of integrity

Replaces "shred" with "hint", suggesting an even smaller and more subtle indication of integrity.

a trace of integrity

Substitutes "shred" with "trace", implying a barely perceptible amount of integrity.

a glimmer of integrity

Replaces "shred" with "glimmer", suggesting a faint and fleeting sign of integrity.

a vestige of integrity

Uses "vestige" instead of "shred", indicating a remaining, though small, part of integrity.

a touch of integrity

Replaces "shred" with "touch", suggesting a slight amount of integrity present.

an iota of integrity

Substitutes "shred" with "iota", emphasizing the extremely small quantity of integrity.

a degree of integrity

Replaces "shred" with "degree", suggesting a measurable, though small, amount of integrity.

a modicum of integrity

Uses "modicum" instead of "shred", indicating a limited quantity of integrity.

a small measure of integrity

Emphasizes the limited and quantifiable aspect of the remaining integrity.

a little bit of integrity

This phrase is more informal but conveys the same basic meaning of a small amount of integrity.

FAQs

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

You can use "a shred of integrity" to describe a situation where someone or something retains a very small amount of honesty or moral principles. For example, "Despite the scandals, the politician still possessed "a shred of integrity"".

What's a more formal way to say "a shred of integrity"?

While "a shred of integrity" is suitable for most contexts, you could use phrases like "a modicum of integrity" or "a vestige of integrity" for a more formal tone. These options convey a similar meaning while using more sophisticated vocabulary.

What does it mean when someone is said to not have "a shred of integrity"?

Saying someone doesn't have "a shred of integrity" means they completely lack honesty, moral principles, or ethical behavior. It's a strong statement indicating a total absence of integrity.

Is there a difference between "a shred of integrity" and "a degree of integrity"?

While both phrases suggest a limited amount of integrity, "a shred of integrity" often implies that what little remains is barely noticeable or significant. "A degree of integrity" might suggest a slightly more measurable or perceptible amount, though still limited.