a shred of light

USAGE SUMMARY

"a shred of light" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used to mean a small amount of hope or positivity in an otherwise dim or negative situation. Example: Despite the difficult situation, I still held onto a shred of light that things might eventually improve.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

— TIM ROHAN Valpo is fighting just to get a shred of light, whereas Michigan State is getting open look after open look.

The New York Times

Before he'd experienced a shred of light or a soundwave, he was completely abandoned.

Huffington Post

This person was also alone and isolated in this dungeon with no Hope there to recast even a shred of light.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

There is not, for example, a shred of irony in the beatific, softly lighted image of a slim black man in a monk's habit who portrays St .Martin, even though some of the animals gathered around him look as though they came from the taxidermist.

The New York Times - Arts

Without a shred of grace?

The New York Times

"Not a shred of doubt," he said.

The New York Times

"They never had a shred of evidence".

The New York Times

Kathleen A. McAuley has not a shred of doubt.

The New York Times

"I have not a shred of regret.

The Guardian

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a shred of light" to express the presence of even the smallest amount of hope or positivity in a dire situation. It adds nuance and depth to descriptions of difficult circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "a shred of light" when referring to situations with significant hope or positivity. It emphasizes scarcity, so reserve it for scenarios where hope is minimal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shred of light" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it conveys a minimal amount of hope or positivity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a shred of light" is a noun phrase used to convey a small amount of hope or positivity within a generally negative context. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriate usage. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, emphasizing its role in describing nuanced situations. While less common, its meaning is clear and impactful, making it a valuable addition to descriptive writing. Related phrases, such as "a glimmer of hope", can offer slight variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a glimmer of hope

Replaces "shred" with "glimmer", suggesting a faint but promising sign.

a ray of optimism

Substitutes "shred of light" with a more metaphorical expression emphasizing positivity.

a spark of positivity

Uses "spark" instead of "shred" to convey a small burst of good feeling.

a hint of enlightenment

Replaces "light" with "enlightenment", focusing on insight or understanding.

a touch of hope

Offers a simpler alternative using "touch" to indicate a small amount of hope.

a fragment of brightness

Emphasizes the broken or incomplete nature of the light or positivity.

a spot of clarity

Focuses on clearness or understanding emerging from confusion.

an iota of encouragement

Replaces the metaphor of light with a sense of encouragement.

a grain of comfort

Shifts from 'light' to 'comfort', suggesting minimal ease or relief.

a dash of inspiration

Conveys a small amount of creative motivation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a shred of light" to describe a minimal amount of hope or positivity in a difficult situation. For instance, "Despite the company's financial struggles, there was still "a shred of light" because of a potential investor".

What is a similar phrase to "a shred of light"?

Similar phrases include "a glimmer of hope", "a ray of optimism", or "a spark of positivity", all suggesting a small amount of something positive.

Is "a shred of light" formal or informal?

"A shred of light" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more commonly found in news and media or literary writing. Its impact depends on the surrounding text.

What does "a shred of light" imply?

"A shred of light" implies that there is very little hope or positivity available. It emphasizes the scarcity of something good in an otherwise negative or challenging situation.