looking tenuous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking tenuous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, argument, or condition that appears weak, fragile, or uncertain. Example: "The team's chances of winning the championship are looking tenuous after their recent losses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Three years later, however, progress is looking tenuous.

The Economist

Now, on the eve of redistricting, when the state is likely to lose another Congressional seat, the Democratic hold is looking tenuous.

The New York Times

"As the role of temporary factors set to fade at some point, an improved performance over the remainder of the quarter seems likely, but that industry will make a positive contribution to GDP growth is looking tenuous," Beck said.

The Guardian - Business

On top of all this, the loss of Mr Maehara, the government's most charismatic politician (and the second of Mr Kan's key ministers to quit this year) will be hard to survive.Let's face it, the longevity of Mr Kan's administration was looking tenuous even before Mr Maehara quit.

The Economist

On Wednesday, political prognosticator Nate Silver wrote that "with Donald Trump's path to 1,237 delegates looking tenuous," a contested convention is "a real possibility".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But democracy's future there looks tenuous.

The New York Times

The Devils (33-24-8) losecondir seconsecutiveutive game, and their hold on a playoff berth suddenly looks tenuous.

The New York Times

And even as they burn through their cash reserves and slash more costs to stay afloat, the future looks tenuous.

The New York Times

But with the spectre of Iraq and terrorism now hanging over him, Mr Fogh Rasmussen's hold on his job still looks tenuous.

The Economist

And the Russian stock market bounce came in spite of looming troubles in the real economy that analysts say make it look tenuous.

The New York Times

We came up with the idea of an orbiting structure on the edge of the vulnerable, one where the form looks tenuous.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looking tenuous" when you want to emphasize that something appears to be in a fragile or uncertain state, but avoid overuse to maintain its impact.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "looking tenuous" is best suited for formal or professional writing. Avoid using it in overly casual conversations; opt for simpler alternatives like "doesn't look good" or "seems uncertain".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking tenuous" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its state of being. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, highlighting its role in depicting fragility or uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looking tenuous" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something that appears weak, fragile, or uncertain. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage and appropriateness, primarily in news and media contexts. While the phrase is not very common, it can effectively convey concern or cautious assessment in formal or professional writing. To enhance your writing, consider using it when you want to emphasize the fragile state of a situation, but avoid overusing it. Alternatives like "appearing fragile" or "seeming uncertain" can be used for similar effect. Overall, "looking tenuous" is a valuable addition to your vocabulary for expressing nuanced observations about instability or uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looking shaky

Implies a lack of solidity or reliability.

seeming uncertain

Highlights the lack of confidence or predictability in the situation.

seeming fragile

Focuses on the delicacy and potential for collapse.

appearing fragile

Focuses on the appearance of being easily broken or damaged, emphasizing vulnerability.

looking vulnerable

Highlights the susceptibility to harm or attack.

appearing unstable

Emphasizes the lack of stability or firmness in the situation.

seeming precarious

Highlights the dangerous or unstable nature of the situation.

appearing unsustainable

Emphasizes the inability to maintain the current state.

appearing doubtful

Emphasizes the uncertainty or skepticism surrounding the situation.

looking impermanent

Highlights the temporary nature of the situation.

FAQs

What does "looking tenuous" mean?

The phrase "looking tenuous" means that something appears to be weak, fragile, uncertain, or in danger of failing.

What can I say instead of "looking tenuous"?

You can use alternatives like "appearing fragile", "seeming uncertain", or "looking shaky" depending on the context.

Is "looking tenuous" formal or informal?

The phrase "looking tenuous" is generally considered more formal and is best suited for professional or academic writing rather than casual conversation.

How to use "looking tenuous" in a sentence?

You can use "looking tenuous" to describe situations where the stability or certainty of something is in question. For example: "The company's financial situation is looking tenuous after the recent losses."