flimsy document

USAGE SUMMARY

"flimsy document" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a document that is not strong or solid in structure. For example: "The lawyer questioned the validity of the flimsy document."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"BP is treating Australians like mugs if the company thinks this flimsy document will wash given BP's woeful performance in the Gulf of Mexico," said Schneiders.

The Guardian - Business

But the constitution, with its separation of powers and its checks and balances, has proved to be a flimsy document in the past, most notably in the years in which it was crumpled up by the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos.

The Economist

"Can you imagine a company grabbing over 40,000 hectares of land from these communities, depriving them of their agricultural activities, on the basis of this kind of flimsy document?" According to the report, land was stolen from communities all along the length of the Congo River under Belgian colonial occupation (1908-1960), to establish oil palm plantations.

The Guardian

Richard Trumka, president of AFL-CIO, America's largest labour union, called it "a flimsy document that only serves to underscore the callous attitude Republicans have toward our nation's immigrants".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Even using false or flimsy documents is often, in effect, risk-free.

The Economist

It would be irresponsible to publish flimsy papers just to provoke.

BMC Biology

When young Zero's flimsy travel documents are challenged by Nazi surrogates on a train, his friend and mentor, the concierge Gustave H., acts courageously in Zero's defense.

The New Yorker

In a flimsy six-page document presented by George Osborne to the House of Commons, the so-called "big four" – Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and RBS – plus Spanish-owned Santander declared that they "understand the public mood and have responded".

The Guardian - Business

A flimsy and much-hyped document that was supposed to blow up the Russia investigation raises more questions about Republicans than the FBI.

Vice

His only document is a flimsy, handwritten Kazakh docket saying he is "a person seeking refugee status", and he is explicitly banned from leaving the confines of the town, let alone the country.

The Guardian

The Obama administration was working furiously to prevent the reignition of international criticism and Arab fury over the Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba where hundreds of terror suspects have been kept in extra-judicial limbo, after leaked documents revealed the flimsy intelligence on which many of the detentions have been based.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flimsy document" when you want to express the lack of solidity in the structure of the document.

Common error

Avoid using "flimsy document" to describe something that is merely incomplete or requires further clarification. Reserve it for situations where the document is demonstrably weak or unreliable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flimsy document" functions as a descriptive phrase, where the adjective "flimsy" modifies the noun "document". It describes the quality or characteristic of the document, indicating that it is weak or lacking substance. Ludwig AI confirms that this is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "flimsy document" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to describe a document lacking substance, strength, or reliability. As Ludwig AI verifies, its correct usage is straightforward. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, the phrase serves to critically assess the validity and credibility of documents. While alternatives like "weak document" or "unconvincing document" exist, each carries slightly different nuances. When using "flimsy document", ensure that the context clearly supports this assessment, highlighting the specific weaknesses or shortcomings of the document in question.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weak document

Replaces "flimsy" with "weak", suggesting a lack of strength or solidity in the document's content or basis.

unconvincing document

Shifts the focus to the document's failure to persuade or convince.

poorly supported document

Emphasizes the lack of evidence or data to back up the document's claims.

insubstantial document

Highlights the document's lack of significant content or depth.

tenuous document

Indicates the document's argument or evidence is shaky and easily challenged.

dubious document

Implies the document's validity or trustworthiness is questionable.

shaky document

Similar to "tenuous", suggesting a lack of firm foundation or reliability.

unreliable document

Directly states the document cannot be depended upon for accuracy or truth.

deficient document

Points out the document's incompleteness or lack of essential elements.

sketchy document

Suggests a lack of thoroughness and potentially questionable accuracy.

FAQs

What does "flimsy document" mean?

A "flimsy document" is one that lacks substance, is poorly supported, or is easily refuted. It suggests the document is not reliable or credible.

When is it appropriate to use the term "flimsy document"?

Use "flimsy document" when you want to criticize a document's lack of supporting evidence, logical reasoning, or overall credibility. Be sure your assessment is accurate and justified.

What are some alternatives to "flimsy document"?

You can use alternatives such as "weak document", "unconvincing document", or "poorly supported document", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "flimsy document" a formal or informal term?

"Flimsy document" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's important to ensure your assessment of the document is well-supported, especially in formal settings.