frail hope

USAGE SUMMARY

"frail hope" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a hope that is unlikely to be successful, e.g. "He held onto a frail hope that he would be reunited with his family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

What a frail hope.

The Guardian - Tech

That any political move now can break the cycle of violence is a frail hope.

The New York Times

But the warning and the frail hope he puts forward here have larger implications.

The New York Times - Arts

There is just a frail hope that Thursday's meeting will lead to an accom modation of sorts.

The New York Times

Acts of intimacy and frail hope in a vortex out there, of mad politics and distant wars come vengefully home to claim those who had simply gone about their lives.

The Guardian

I'm calling it that in the frail hope that it will hear me and turn into one – at the moment it is, of course, the New Notebook Full Of Stuff and A Smattering of Early Paragraphs.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

She understands people's failings — and, ultimately, their frail hopes.

The New York Times - Books

Tanks and armoured personnel carriers were also lost in a serious defeat.Frail hopes that this might coax the government to negotiate with its enemy were swiftly disappointed.

The Economist

Valmik Thapar, a conservationist, says India will have 300 to 400 tigers in four years.Frail hopes rest on a meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora in Geneva next month, at which America may perhaps argue for a ban on trade in endangered species where tigers are not protected.

The Economist

In 2000, though, Lyon received a letter from a nun at a homeless shelter in Kansas City, saying that McCune, a regular visitor to the shelter, was old and frail and hoped to see Lyon once more before he died.

The New Yorker

When centerfielder Nate McLouth was felled by a hamstring injury in mid-August, the Atlanta Braves' frail playoff hopes quivered.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "frail hope" when you want to emphasize the vulnerability and uncertainty of a positive expectation in the face of challenging circumstances. It adds a layer of realism and acknowledges the potential for disappointment.

Common error

Avoid using "frail hope" when you intend to express strong conviction or optimism. The phrase inherently suggests a delicate and potentially unfounded expectation, so choose a different expression for more robust scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "frail hope" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "frail" modifies the noun "hope". It serves to qualify the nature of hope, imbuing it with a sense of vulnerability and uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and established usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

20%

Opinion

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "frail hope" is a grammatically correct and semantically rich phrase used to describe a weak or uncertain hope. Ludwig AI validates its usage in reliable sources, primarily in the contexts of news, books, and opinion pieces. The phrase functions to acknowledge the presence of hope while emphasizing its vulnerability. Consider alternatives like "slim hope" or "tenuous hope" to vary your writing, but be mindful of the specific nuance you wish to convey. While not overly common, "frail hope" remains a powerful expression for conveying a delicate expectation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slim hope

Replaces "frail" with "slim", suggesting a small chance of success.

tenuous hope

Substitutes "frail" with "tenuous", highlighting the lack of a strong basis for the hope.

precarious hope

Replaces "frail" with "precarious", emphasizing the instability and risk associated with the hope.

weak hope

Uses "weak" instead of "frail", conveying a lack of strength or power in the hope.

feeble hope

Substitutes "frail" with "feeble", indicating a weak or ineffective hope.

slight hope

Replaces "frail" with "slight", suggesting a minimal degree of hope.

flimsy hope

Uses "flimsy" instead of "frail", indicating a lack of solidity or strength in the hope.

remote hope

Replaces "frail" with "remote", conveying a distant or unlikely possibility of the hope being realized.

vanishing hope

Substitutes "frail" with "vanishing", implying that the hope is fading or disappearing.

dying hope

Replaces "frail" with "dying", suggesting the hope is coming to an end.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "frail hope" in a sentence?

Use "frail hope" to describe a situation where there's a minimal or declining chance of a positive outcome, emphasizing vulnerability. For example: "Despite the overwhelming odds, a "frail hope" persisted that a solution could be found."

What are some alternatives to using "frail hope" in my writing?

Depending on the context, consider using alternatives such as "slim hope", "tenuous hope", or "feeble hope" to convey a similar sense of uncertainty and vulnerability.

Is "frail hope" considered grammatically correct?

Yes, "frail hope" is a grammatically correct phrase in English. It combines an adjective ("frail") with a noun ("hope") to create a descriptive expression.

What is the difference between "frail hope" and "strong hope"?

"Frail hope" suggests a weak or uncertain expectation, whereas "strong hope" indicates a confident and robust expectation. The phrases convey opposite levels of certainty and resilience.