foolish hope

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foolish hope" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe an unrealistically optimistic hope - for example, "He held on to his foolish hope that he would win the lottery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

It was a foolish hope.

The New Yorker

Foolish hope, I know.

The Guardian

Perhaps that would be a foolish hope.

The Guardian - Books

I have no idea where such foolish hope comes from.

The New York Times

Bureaucratic re-engineering of the economy through multiple tax rates is a foolish hope, which is slow in fading.

The Economist

Or am I clinging to foolish hope that the tragic protagonist, this one time, will shift course before it's too late?

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

He unearths their confessions and denials, foolish hopes and lost faith, sticking places and changing times.

Harvard University

My name is a symbol for something both life-sustaining – the essentialness of hope – and dangerous – foolish hopes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even if publication is premeditated – as is clearly the case with most recent examples – political diaries, unlike memoirs, give a sense of history behind the scenes, of how the powerful gossiped, plotted and bitched about each other as events unfolded, of their prejudices, their feuds, their obsessions, their sometimes foolish hopes.

The Guardian - Books

Instead, he has offered redemption to a crew of players caught weirdly in the gaps, men who were neither there on those humid nights of June and July, nor who possess the virgin qualities – small v – that best allow foolish hopes of better to bloom.

Vice

It's foolish to hope they will find us infallible.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "foolish hope" to express a sense of gentle disapproval or resignation, rather than harsh criticism. It acknowledges the positive intent behind the hope, while highlighting its unlikelihood.

Common error

While "foolish hope" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "unrealistic expectation" or "unfounded optimism" to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foolish hope" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "foolish" modifies the noun "hope". It describes a particular quality or characteristic of the hope itself. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foolish hope" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an unrealistic or unfounded positive expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While common, particularly in news and media, it's important to consider the tone and register when using it, opting for more formal alternatives in professional settings. The phrase conveys a sense of gentle disapproval or resignation, acknowledging the positive intent while highlighting the unlikelihood of fulfillment. Alternatives include "unrealistic expectation", "vain hope", and "wishful thinking", each offering a slightly different nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vain hope

Uses 'vain' to stress the futility and ultimate disappointment of the hope.

wishful thinking

Focuses on the desire rather than the feasibility of the outcome.

unrealistic expectation

Replaces 'hope' with 'expectation', emphasizing the disconnect from reality.

misplaced faith

Highlights the inappropriate or unwarranted trust placed in a particular outcome.

naive expectation

Highlights the simplicity or lack of experience behind the hope.

unfounded optimism

Shifts the focus to the lack of a solid basis for the positive outlook.

groundless anticipation

Emphasizes the absence of any reasonable basis for expecting something positive.

deluded aspiration

Implies a stronger sense of being misled or deceived about the possibility.

pipe dream

Replaces the entire phrase with an established idiom for an unattainable goal.

false dawn

Uses a metaphor to suggest a temporary or misleading indication of success.

FAQs

How can I use "foolish hope" in a sentence?

You can use "foolish hope" to describe a belief that is unlikely to be realized. For example, "Despite the evidence, he clung to the "foolish hope" that she would return."

What are some alternatives to "foolish hope"?

Alternatives to "foolish hope" include "unrealistic expectation", "vain hope", or "wishful thinking". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "foolish hope" a commonly used phrase?

Yes, "foolish hope" is a relatively common phrase, found in various types of writing, including news articles and literary works, as shown by Ludwig.

What is the tone of "foolish hope"?

"Foolish hope" often carries a tone of gentle sadness or resignation. It acknowledges the existence of a hope, but suggests that it is unlikely to come true. In most cases it will be better to qualify the ""foolish hope"" instead of stating it.