feeble hope

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feeble hope" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a hope that is weak or lacking in strength, often in a context where the likelihood of success is low. Example: "Despite the challenges ahead, she held onto a feeble hope that things would improve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

His performance last season discredited the Jets' feeble hope that he would blossom into a great player.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Elected with an 80% share of the poll, the president crushed the feeble hopes of liberalisation fed by the European Union.

The Guardian

He and his best friend, Mister (Monté Russell, in a nicely understated performance), are peddling stolen refrigerators, though with only feeble hopes of making the money they need to open a video store.

The New York Times

How can such an apparently feeble technology hope to achieve so much?

The Economist

Pittsburgh's feeble playoff hopes remain alive as it uses the cold weather and an invigorated defense to shine.

The New York Times - Sports

Its feeble flails give hope that it might somehow regain its strength.

The Washington Post

How do you feel, as that feeble swell of hope in your heart deflates?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

If, as seems sadly likely, NATO's security efforts continue to be feeble, there is little hope that an election six months or so down the line would be any better.

The Economist

Rudolf Wittkower, the great art historian, wrote the classic epitaph: Rome in the 18th century produced, he said, "a pleasant but purely conventional art, a soft and feeble formalism without a hope of regeneration".

The New York Times - Arts

And here it is, flaunting its status by sponsoring an event that turns high hopes into feeble disasters.

Huffington Post

Afghans hope the change will revitalise a feeble economy and perhaps push the country towards peace.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "feeble hope", ensure that the context clearly establishes the reason for the hope's weakness. This adds depth and credibility to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "feeble hope" when a stronger, more realistic expectation exists. Using it inappropriately can undermine your message and confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeble hope" functions as a noun phrase, where "feeble" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "hope". As Ludwig AI confirms, this combination is grammatically sound. It specifies the quality or intensity of the hope being described.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feeble hope" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a weak or diminished expectation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is typically found in neutral contexts, particularly in news and media sources. While not a common phrase, it effectively conveys a sense of precarious or unlikely possibility. Alternatives such as "slim hope", "slight hope", and "tenuous hope" can be used to express similar sentiments. When using "feeble hope", ensure that the context clearly justifies the weakness of the hope to add credibility to your writing. Avoid using it when a stronger, more realistic expectation exists.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slim hope

Emphasizes the smallness and unlikelihood of the hope.

slight hope

Highlights the insubstantial nature of the hope.

remote hope

Indicates that the hope is distant and unlikely to be realized.

tenuous hope

Stresses the fragility and uncertainty of the hope.

faint hope

Implies a barely perceptible or weak hope.

dim hope

Suggests that the hope is fading or becoming less likely.

little hope

Directly conveys the scarcity of hope.

minimal hope

Emphasizes the very small degree of hope present.

illusory hope

Highlights that hope is based on illusion and is not a real expectation.

groundless hope

This phrase emphasizes that the hope has no foundation or justification.

FAQs

How to use "feeble hope" in a sentence?

"Feeble hope" is used to describe a weak or slight possibility. For example: "Despite the setback, she clung to a "feeble hope" that things would eventually improve."

What can I say instead of "feeble hope"?

You can use alternatives such as "slim hope", "slight hope", or "tenuous hope" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "feeble hope" or "weak hope"?

Both "feeble hope" and "weak hope" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference and the specific context.

What's the difference between "feeble hope" and "false hope"?

"Feeble hope" refers to a weak or slight possibility, while "false hope" implies a belief that is completely unfounded and misleading.