poor hope

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poor hope" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a lack of confidence or optimism about a situation or outcome. Example: "Despite the team's efforts, there was a poor hope of winning the championship this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Jessica's hope that staging an impromptu family reunion would force Kilgrave to demonstrate his abilities on film (providing evidence to exonerate poor Hope, still accused of murdering her parents) seemed like a risky gambit.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Now if only Liam would get back with Steffy and leave poor Hope alone!

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Despite the country being Africa's main oil producer, most Nigerians are poor, hoping that the party they vote for will improve their lives.

BBC

You retire poor, hoping you will qualify for the services you have provided for so many years.

Huffington Post

But when a person is told about having a disease with a poor prognosis, hope should not be abandoned.

The New York Times

These programmes also make it possible for the very poor to hope for more than mere survival.In this section The tail that wags the elephant Making no cents A rude awakening Frontier mentality Furiouser and furiouser Shhhh!

The Economist

Some of the highly mobile rich will be attracted by countries with low-tax, low-spending regimes, whereas the relatively immobile poor will hope for generous state benefits at home.

The Economist

He took this second, free swing on May 30th naming Mr Zoellick to the job at last.The world's poor will hope the position was given in reward for past loyalties, not in expectation of future favours.

The Economist

By guaranteeing political participation rights for the disenfranchised poor, the hope is to encourage democratic (rather than armed) dissent.

Vice

In every case, lotteries are designed to take away something more important than the money of the poor; their hope.

Huffington Post

"That has nothing to do with feeding the hungry," or helping the poorest of the poor, says Hope Shand, research director for the ETC Group, an ardent biotech opponent.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "poor hope" to subtly convey a sense of resignation or acceptance of a negative outcome, rather than outright despair. It can add nuance to your writing by implying a lingering, though weak, expectation.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of the phrase "poor hope" can sound awkward or less professional in formal writing. Opt for stronger, more direct alternatives like "slim chance" or "little expectation" to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poor hope" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "poor" modifies the noun "hope". Ludwig confirms the phrase as usable in written English, though not overly common.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poor hope" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a limited or weak expectation of a positive outcome. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is usable, although relatively uncommon. While acceptable across various contexts, it's especially found in news and media. Consider alternatives like "slim hope" or "faint hope" for more common expressions. When writing, remember that while grammatically sound, overuse of "poor hope" can sound awkward in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slim hope

Implies a very small chance of success or a positive outcome.

slight hope

Indicates a small degree of optimism, similar to "slim hope".

faint hope

Suggests a weak or diminishing possibility of something positive happening.

dim hope

Similar to faint hope, indicating a weak and fading expectation.

little hope

A straightforward expression of minimal optimism.

minimal hope

Emphasizes the scarcity of positive expectation.

remote possibility

Shifts the focus to the possibility of something happening, but emphasizes its unlikelihood.

bleak outlook

Focuses on the pessimistic view of the future.

low expectations

Highlights the lack of anticipation for a positive result.

limited prospects

Suggests that the chances for advancement or improvement are restricted.

FAQs

What does "poor hope" mean?

The phrase "poor hope" suggests a very small or weak chance of something positive happening. It implies a lack of optimism or confidence in a particular situation.

Are there alternatives to "poor hope"?

Yes, alternatives include "slim hope", "little hope", or "faint hope". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of optimism you want to convey.

Is "poor hope" grammatically correct?

Yes, "poor hope" is grammatically correct, but it's not the most common or idiomatic way to express a lack of optimism. Ludwig AI confirms that it is usable, although not frequent.

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

You might say, "Despite the challenges, there's still a poor hope that the project will succeed" or "After the accident, there was a poor hope for his recovery."