flimsy connection

USAGE SUMMARY

"flimsy connection" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a weak or insubstantial link between ideas, arguments, or entities. For example: "The evidence presented in the report was based on a flimsy connection between the two events." Alternative expressions include "weak link" and "tenuous connection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Solitary confinement can do that to you, make you read what you would never look at on the outside, and then read more and more of it, to preserve your sense of humanity, maybe, but certainly to maintain whatever flimsy connection you hold to the world beyond your prison cell.

The New York Times

Del Mar isn't the only track whose success has but a flimsy connection to the racing.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Web eliminates that need for physical proximity, enabling people to declare friendships on the basis of otherwise flimsy connections.

The New York Times

Immigration lawyers said in many cases such evidence of terrorist links did not exist or was based on flimsy connections, like a similar last name to a hijacker or possession of a box cutter.

The New York Times

Particularly offensive is a "green bonds" program offering subsidized loans to any project that can demonstrate even the flimsiest connection to the country's energy needs.

The New York Times

For although at first glance Kinbote's hilariously self-involved Commentary seems not to share the flimsiest connection to Shade's highly personal poem (which most centrally laments the suicide of his daughter), Boyd digs up profound subterranean links between the seemingly disjunct halves of the novel.

The New York Times - Books

She scolded Judith Butler and postmodern feminists for "turning away from the material side of life, towards a type of verbal and symbolic politics that makes only the flimsiest connections with the real situations of real women".

The New Yorker

While the value of student volunteering, arts and cultural activity and even the apparent health benefits of living near a university all exist, these have too flimsy a connection to economics to convince the general public.

The Guardian

However flimsy that connection of friendship is.

TechCrunch

The press has devoured all things Napster, no matter how flimsy the connection.

Forbes

Pope's biggest concern with this case has nothing to do with the flimsy Scientology connection to the objects seen by the pilots and radar.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "flimsy connection", ensure the context clearly indicates why the connection is weak or unreliable to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "flimsy connection" when a stronger, more significant relationship exists, as this can undermine the credibility of your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flimsy connection" functions as a noun phrase modifier, where the adjective "flimsy" modifies the noun "connection". It describes the quality of the connection, indicating its weakness or lack of substance. Ludwig examples confirm this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flimsy connection" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a weak or insubstantial link, as confirmed by Ludwig. It appears primarily in news and media contexts, conveying skepticism about the validity of a relationship or argument. While the phrase is relatively uncommon, several alternatives like "tenuous link" or "weak tie" can be used to achieve a similar effect. When employing "flimsy connection", ensure the context clarifies the reason for the connection's weakness to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tenuous link

Replaces "connection" with "link" and "flimsy" with "tenuous", emphasizing the insubstantial nature of the link.

weak link

Uses "weak" instead of "flimsy", directly indicating a lack of strength in the connection.

fragile bond

Substitutes "connection" with "bond" and "flimsy" with "fragile", suggesting a delicate and easily broken relationship.

tenuous relationship

Replaces "connection" with "relationship" and "flimsy" with "tenuous", focusing on the unsubstantial nature of the bond.

weak tie

Uses "tie" instead of "connection" and "weak" instead of "flimsy", highlighting the lack of a strong bond.

insubstantial association

Replaces "flimsy" with "insubstantial" and "connection" with "association", conveying a lack of concrete basis.

dubious link

Substitutes "flimsy" with "dubious", indicating uncertainty and doubt about the validity of the link.

shaky alliance

Replaces "connection" with "alliance" and "flimsy" with "shaky", suggesting an unstable and unreliable bond.

groundless association

Changes "flimsy" to "groundless", emphasizing the lack of factual support.

superficial correlation

Uses "superficial" in place of "flimsy" and "correlation" instead of "connection", highlighting a lack of deep or meaningful relationship.

FAQs

How can I use "flimsy connection" in a sentence?

You can use "flimsy connection" to describe a relationship or argument that is weak and unconvincing. For example, "The prosecution's case rested on a "flimsy connection" between the suspect and the crime scene".

What are some alternatives to "flimsy connection"?

Alternatives include "weak link", "tenuous relationship", or "insubstantial association", depending on the specific context.

Is "flimsy connection" a formal or informal expression?

"Flimsy connection" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal writing might benefit from alternatives like "tenuous relationship" or "insubstantial association".

What's the difference between "flimsy connection" and "weak connection"?

While both phrases indicate a lack of strength, "flimsy connection" implies a greater degree of unsubstantiality or unreliability than "weak connection". "Flimsy" suggests something poorly constructed and easily broken.