semblance of trust

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "semblance of trust" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there appears to be trust, but it may not be genuine or fully established. Example: "Despite the ongoing issues, the team maintained a semblance of trust in their leader, hoping for improvements in communication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Today in Kirkuk, a semblance of trust prevailed.

The New York Times

If conservatives are stung with a landslide victory by Democrats, probably the only way they can regain some semblance of trust from the public is to emphasize the near-absence of oversight in business-as-usual.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

As long as there is no semblance of clarity, trust will not return to the banking system".

The New York Times

All those excuses have a semblance of truth.

The New York Times - Sports

They do stir the imagination and give the amateur the semblance of writing a script with a trusted partner.

The New York Times - Tech

Oh, an old quarterback who might be decent if he works out with the team throughout the offseason, earns their trust and establishes at least some semblance of chemistry, and doesn't turn into a headcase in the process.

Vice

It would have been suicidal for the investment bankers sponsoring these trusts to try to maintain a semblance of a market when everyone was trying to sell.

Forbes

It is particularly important to maintain the community's trust in social institutions during a pandemic if there is to be any semblance of law and social order.

American Journal of Bioethics

Over time, a semblance of normalcy returned.

The New Yorker

A semblance of normal life has returned.

The Economist

Some semblance of spring had momentarily arrived.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "semblance of trust" when you want to convey that trust exists on the surface but might be fragile or not entirely genuine. For example, in a negotiation, parties might maintain a "semblance of trust" to facilitate progress, even if underlying tensions remain.

Common error

Avoid using "semblance of trust" when true, deep-seated trust is present. The phrase implies a degree of superficiality or uncertainty, so reserve it for situations where trust is questionable or newly formed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "semblance of trust" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the state of appearing to have trust, even if it's not entirely authentic. Ludwig indicates that it's grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "semblance of trust" is used to describe situations where there is an outward appearance of trust, even if it is not fully genuine or secure. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable, although it appears to be rare. The contexts in which it is used, as indicated by Ludwig, are mainly in news and media. While alternatives like "appearance of trust" or "illusion of trust" may offer nuanced variations, "semblance of trust" effectively conveys a cautious or qualified sense of trust. Be mindful that the term is not meant for the cases where trust is strongly stated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appearance of trust

Focuses on the outward presentation rather than genuine trust.

illusion of trust

Emphasizes that the trust is not real, but merely an illusion.

pretense of trust

Highlights the act of feigning trust, suggesting insincerity.

façade of trust

Uses a metaphor to indicate a superficial display of trust.

show of trust

Indicates an action or demonstration intended to convey trust, which may or may not be genuine.

hint of trust

Suggests a subtle or barely perceptible indication of trust.

air of trust

Describes an atmosphere or feeling that suggests trust exists.

veneer of trust

Similar to 'façade', indicating a thin, superficial layer of trust.

guise of trust

Suggests trust is used as a disguise or cover for something else.

semblance of confidence

Shifts the focus from trust to confidence, suggesting an outward display of belief.

FAQs

How can I use "semblance of trust" in a sentence?

You can use "semblance of trust" to describe a situation where there appears to be trust, but it may not be genuine or fully established. For example: "Despite the ongoing issues, the team maintained a "semblance of trust" in their leader, hoping for improvements in communication."

What's the difference between "semblance of trust" and "appearance of trust"?

Both phrases suggest that trust isn't necessarily real. "Semblance of trust" implies a slightly stronger suggestion of real trust than "appearance of trust", which focuses more on the outward perception.

What can I say instead of "semblance of trust"?

You can use alternatives like "illusion of trust", "pretense of trust", or "façade of trust" depending on the context. Each alternative carries slightly different connotations about the genuineness of the trust.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "semblance of trust"?

It's appropriate to use "semblance of trust" when you want to indicate that trust is present on the surface but there might be underlying doubts, unresolved issues, or strategic considerations that prevent it from being fully genuine. This is different from scenarios where trust is implicit or demonstrated.