more tenuous than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more tenuous than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the strength or stability of two concepts, ideas, or relationships, indicating that one is less secure or more fragile than the other. Example: "The connection between the two theories is more tenuous than previously thought, leading to further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Surely it can't get any more tenuous than that?

The Guardian - Sport

Aliyev's support base is much more tenuous than he likes to portray it.

The Washington Post

But Tortorella realizes his situation is more tenuous than the players'.

The New York Times - Sports

He is optimistic, however, that Erdoğan's reign is more tenuous than many people assume.

The New Yorker

If some of her associations are far more tenuous than others, she does bind them together with an overarching idea.

The New York Times - Books

"This study show that the economics of the argument look far more tenuous than any of us believed," Hudson said.

The Guardian

When recovery came, economic growth in all the wealthy economies was far more tenuous than before the oil crisis.

Harvard Business Review

These social media experts, after all, are usually young people whose jobs are more tenuous than those above them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet our connection to nature seems more tenuous than ever today a time when our children can name more Pokémon characters than wildlife species.

University of California, Berkeley

But a year of rising violence in the region has made it clear that Moscow's control is more tenuous than it seemed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The empirical support for this claim is more tenuous, however, than that for his –1.76 average.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more tenuous than", ensure that you clearly specify what two things are being compared. Clarity is crucial for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "more tenuous than" when you mean completely absent. Tenuous implies a connection, however weak. If there's no link, use "nonexistent" or "absent" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more tenuous than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, used to describe a relationship, connection, or argument that is weaker or less substantial compared to another. As seen in Ludwig, this usage aligns with its grammatical function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

17%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more tenuous than" is a common and grammatically sound comparative phrase used to indicate that one connection, relationship, or argument is weaker or less substantial compared to another. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its proper usage across various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific domains. While semantically related alternatives like "less substantial than" or "weaker than" exist, "more tenuous than" offers a nuanced way to express relative weakness. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity in what you are comparing, and avoid using it when there is a complete absence of a connection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weaker than

Uses a simpler term, "weaker", to convey the reduced strength or validity.

more fragile than

Emphasizes the vulnerability or instability of the connection.

more flimsy than

Similar to fragile, but suggests a lack of construction or support.

less substantial than

Replaces "tenuous" with "substantial", focusing on the lack of substance or solidity.

less secure than

Focuses on the lack of safety or certainty in the relationship.

less credible than

Highlights the lack of trustworthiness or reliability.

more questionable than

Suggests doubt or uncertainty about the validity or strength.

less grounded than

Implies a lack of foundation or basis in reality.

less convincing than

Shifts the focus to the persuasiveness or believability of something.

less robust than

Highlights a lack of strength and health.

FAQs

How can I use "more tenuous than" in a sentence?

You can use "more tenuous than" to compare two connections, suggesting one is weaker or less certain than the other. For example, "The evidence linking the suspect to the crime is "more tenuous than" the evidence linking his accomplice."

What's an alternative to "more tenuous than"?

Alternatives include "less substantial than", "weaker than", or "less convincing than", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct: "more tenuous than" or "most tenuous than"?

"More tenuous than" is correct for comparing two items. "Most tenuous" is used to describe something with the weakest connection out of a group of three or more.

What is the difference between "more tenuous than" and "less obvious than"?

"More tenuous than" implies a weaker or less certain connection, while "less obvious than" suggests that something is harder to perceive or understand. The former relates to the strength of a connection, and the latter relates to visibility or clarity.