as tenuous as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as tenuous as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the fragility or weakness of one thing to another, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "Her argument was as tenuous as a spider's web, easily torn apart by scrutiny."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

This can be as tenuous as you like.

The Guardian

The Browns' record, 2-5, remains dismal, and Mangini's job is as tenuous as ever.

The New York Times - Sports

And the others--their connections to life remain as tenuous as ever, if not more so.

The New Yorker

Facebook seems in some ways as tenuous as Netscape, in others as sturdy as Google.

The New York Times

The link between the benign and the brutal is not as tenuous as one might think.

The Guardian

It is almost as tenuous as the distinction I might make between our respective birthplaces.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Mr. Norquist dismissed the allegations as tenuous, at best.

The New York Times

What my mother probably didn't realize is my life was as tenuous at 58 pounds as it was during times I weighed twice as much.

Huffington Post

Few senators are in as tenuous a position as Mr. Grisanti.

The New York Times

Whatever you may think about letting children drive, unlicensed, at any age they can nag their parents into it, by this point in the book Reagan's relentless bureaucrat-bashing begins to seem tenuous as well as tedious.

The New York Times - Books

This family's relation to the town begins as tenuous, and dissolves from there.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as tenuous as", ensure the comparison is clear and that the reader understands what is being described as weak or fragile. For example, "The evidence linking the suspect to the crime was as tenuous as a spider's web."

Common error

Avoid using "as tenuous as" when describing something that is simply small or insignificant. The phrase implies a lack of strength or substance, not merely a small size. Instead of saying, "His contribution was as tenuous as a drop in the ocean", consider using "as small as" or "as insignificant as".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as tenuous as" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe something by likening its weakness, fragility, or uncertainty to something else, often for emphasis. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as tenuous as" is a common and grammatically correct comparative phrase used to describe something weak, fragile, or uncertain. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and can be found across various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and encyclopedias. When writing, it's important to ensure that the comparison made is clear and appropriate. While alternatives like "as fragile as" or "as uncertain as" exist, "as tenuous as" offers a specific emphasis on the lack of substance or strength.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as fragile as

Focuses on the delicacy and easiness of being broken.

as flimsy as

Highlights the lack of strength or substance.

as weak as

Emphasizes the lack of physical or metaphorical power.

as uncertain as

Shifts the focus to the lack of sureness or predictability.

as unstable as

Implies a lack of firmness or steadiness.

as shaky as

Suggests unreliability and a high risk of failure.

as delicate as

Highlights the need for careful handling due to vulnerability.

as slight as

Emphasizes the small degree or extent of something.

as borderline as

Emphasizes the uncertainty of a particular condition or result.

as dubious as

Highlights the uncertainty or questionability of something.

FAQs

What does "as tenuous as" mean?

The phrase "as tenuous as" describes something that is weak, fragile, or uncertain. It suggests a lack of strength, substance, or a firm basis.

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

You can use "as tenuous as" to compare the fragility or uncertainty of something to another object or concept. For example, "The connection between the two events was as tenuous as a thread."

What can I say instead of "as tenuous as"?

You can use alternatives like "as fragile as", "as flimsy as", or "as uncertain as" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "as tenuous as" or "tenuous"?

Using "as tenuous as" is suitable for making comparisons, while "tenuous" can be used as a direct adjective. For example, "The link was tenuous" is also correct but does not provide the comparative emphasis of "The link was as tenuous as a spider's web."