a thin point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a thin point" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific detail or argument that is not substantial or is weak in nature. Example: "While the presentation had many strong arguments, the speaker's claim about the economic impact was based on a thin point that lacked sufficient evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The plant's leaves are evergreen, undivided, and slightly leathery; they are triangular in shape, tapering to a thin point.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Walking up the creaky stairs leading to the barn's loft that day, we came upon one of the biggest and more memorable pieces included in "Seek," a 20-foot-long dangling white obelisk, made from thousands of pieces of blank paper and hung from the rafters, bulbous in the middle and then funneling to a thin point that delicately grazed the floor.

The New York Times - Magazine

The top layer, or epidermis, is about the thickness of cellophane, although that thickness varies considerably across the body, from a thin point a mere five cells across on the scalp, to serious thickness of hundreds of cells on the palms of the hands and the balls of the feet.

The New York Times - Science

It had suddenly narrowed into a thin point of light and I was having trouble making sense of its direction.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

AROUND THE NATION The North Carolina junior swingman Marcus Ginyard is nursing a sprained ankle and an injured toe, leaving the No. 5 Tar Heels with few options at an already thin point guard position.

The New York Times - Sports

Take the tip of the thin point and fold down a small portion of the point down, the portion should look like a triangle that is only about 1 or 2 centimeters (0.4 or 0.8 in) tall.

WikiHow

Black Hat's wireless architecture used a setup called a "thin access point," which is designed to prevent the kind of hacking that took place in the press room.

Forbes

A thin "five point plan" with less substance than Ronald Reagan's offhand remarks.

Huffington Post

Tightly holding the base of the triangle, pull up the thin point of the triangle to a desired height.

WikiHow

It looks like it used to be a long slab that's now been folded in half, making one side thicker and more rounded, with the other coming to a much thinner point.

TechCrunch

A thin, pencil-point, Teflon-coated, stimulating probe allowed direct stimulation (<2 mA, 100-msec pulse width) of the left RLN inside the thorax.

Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a thin point" to critique an argument, ensure you can articulate why it lacks substance or supporting evidence. Provide specific examples of what would strengthen the argument.

Common error

Avoid building your entire argument on what you perceive as "a thin point". If the foundation is weak, the entire structure is likely to collapse. Look for stronger, more substantial evidence to support your claims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thin point" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the quality of the "point", indicating that it is weak, unsubstantiated, or lacks substance, as shown by Ludwig examples where "thin point" is used to describe arguments and connections.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

28%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a thin point" is a phrase used to describe something lacking substance or strength, typically in an argument or explanation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and functions as an adjective phrase. Its usage is common across various fields, from news and media to science, though more frequent in the first. When using this phrase, be sure to provide context as to why the point is considered "thin". Related phrases include "a weak argument" and "a flimsy justification". While the phrase is well-established, avoid over-relying on it in argumentation; make sure to present stronger evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a weak argument

Replaces the descriptive "thin" with a direct assessment of the argument's strength.

a flimsy justification

Focuses on the insubstantial nature of the supporting evidence.

an unsubstantiated claim

Directly points out the lack of evidence supporting the statement.

a tenuous connection

Highlights the fragile or easily broken link between ideas.

a slender basis

Emphasizes the lack of a solid foundation for a claim.

a fragile premise

Indicates the vulnerability of the initial assumption.

a borderline argument

Highlights the fact that the argument is just acceptable.

an almost imperceptible detail

Emphasizes that the point is so small, it may not be noticeable.

a negligible detail

Emphasizes how insignificant a detail may be.

a hair-splitting distinction

Implies that the point is so fine that it's almost meaningless.

FAQs

How can "a thin point" be used effectively in writing?

Use "a thin point" to describe an argument, detail, or observation that lacks substance or is only marginally relevant. Be sure the reader understands why you consider it weak or unsubstantiated.

What are some synonyms for "a thin point" that I can use in my writing?

You can use alternatives like "a weak argument", "a flimsy justification", or "a tenuous connection" depending on the context.

Is it always negative to describe something as "a thin point"?

Yes, describing something as "a thin point" typically carries a negative connotation, suggesting a lack of substance, relevance, or strength. In some contexts it may imply the point is borderline, without being totally irrelevant.

How does using "a thin point" impact the tone of my writing?

Using "a thin point" can add a critical or dismissive tone to your writing. It suggests that you are scrutinizing something and finding it inadequate or unconvincing. Use with caution in sensitive contexts.