flimsy support

USAGE SUMMARY

"flimsy support" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone is providing inadequate backing for an idea or statement. For example, "Diana provided flimsy support for her argument, so it was difficult to take her seriously."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Even small works on a flimsy support are now eagerly sought when graced with the aura of the early 1960s.

The New York Times - Arts

At one point, he was hanging by his hands, suspended lightly over England from a flimsy support.

The New Yorker

McGwire, whose career has been marred by the suspicion that he used steroids, saw his flimsy support drop to 21.9percentt from 23.6.

The New York Times - Sports

So, while it's difficult tonight to separate the performance from the sense of occasion, two solo albums in 10 years are flimsy support for the weight of his legend.

The Guardian - Music

In the morning, as I wrap myself with my flimsy support systems, I often have my mother's voice ringing in my ears: "Wear a supportive bra so you're not kicking your tits around by the time you're 40!" This, coming from a woman who basically burned her bra in the '60s and often brags about walking around Boston barefoot to get macro-biotic food from the first ever Erewhon.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

As Gillham describes him, Galton was a competent scientist who knew the difference between solid evidence and flimsy supporting arguments.

The New York Times - Books

Celebrating its 300th anniversary, the city will glisten with fresh paint and new gold leaf (though the bright facades, like most ball dresses, conceal flimsy supports and hasty fixes).

The Economist

Furthermore, a foundation of knowledge and justified belief restricted to infallible beliefs (as defined above) would arguably be far too flimsy to support any sort of substantial epistemic edifice.

SEP

Is there room anywhere in the world for my disgust at your flimsy, myopic support?

Vice

Avoid cardboard, as it will likely be too flimsy to support your project.

WikiHow

But he had little choice: anything less would have weakened public support for the peace talks and the military's flimsy backing for a process that puts its future in doubt.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flimsy support" to accurately convey the idea of something lacking strength or substance, whether it's a physical structure, an argument, or an emotional crutch.

Common error

While "flimsy support" is appropriate in many contexts, consider stronger alternatives like "unreliable foundation" or "weak justification" if you want to emphasize the severity of the inadequacy. Overusing "flimsy support" can make your writing sound repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flimsy support" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "flimsy" modifies the noun "support". It indicates a lack of robustness or reliability. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from physical structures to arguments.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flimsy support" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, as Ludwig AI confirms. Though not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys a lack of strength or substance in various contexts, primarily in News & Media, Wiki, and Science. When writing, be mindful of potential overuse and explore alternatives like "tenuous support" or "inadequate backing" to add nuance. It's suitable for neutral registers, making it versatile for diverse writing needs. Be aware of the connotations it carries as it can be seen as negative in certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weak support

Direct synonym, indicating a lack of strength or robustness.

inadequate support

Directly states the insufficiency or lack of provision in the backing.

shaky support

Implies unreliability and a tendency to fail.

thin support

Similar meaning, implying a lack of depth or substance in the backing.

tenuous support

Suggests a support that is fragile and easily broken.

fragile support

Highlights the delicate and easily damaged nature of the support.

precarious support

Emphasizes the instability and risk associated with the support.

flawed support

Focuses on the imperfections and weaknesses inherent in the support.

superficial support

Indicates a lack of genuine depth or commitment in the backing.

indefensible support

Emphasizes the lack of valid justification or rational basis for the backing.

FAQs

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

You can use "flimsy support" to describe anything that provides inadequate backing. For example: "The argument was based on "flimsy support" and quickly fell apart."

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

While similar, "flimsy support" often implies a physical weakness or lack of substance, whereas "weak support" can apply more broadly to arguments or concepts.

What can I say instead of "flimsy support"?

You can use alternatives like "tenuous support", "precarious support", or "shaky support" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "flimsy support" in formal writing?

Yes, "flimsy support" is generally acceptable in formal writing, but consider stronger, more precise vocabulary if available to enhance clarity and impact. In business writing, phrases like "inadequate backing" can sometimes work better.