shaky hope

USAGE SUMMARY

"shaky hope" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to express uncertainty about a hoped-for situation. For example, "The only thing keeping me going is a shaky hope that things will get better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A man-made Hell, such as you put forth, is merely functional, fuels (shaky) hope and makes religion "work" (or not, as of late).

The Economist

Now Mr. Hariri, at 37 the least experienced of Lebanon's factional leaders, bears the shaky hope for a pro-Western, democratic future in this country, where the region's rivalries are often viciously played out.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The Sonics, who lost for just the second time in 12 games, had their already shaky playoff hopes damaged.

The New York Times - Sports

But political support for the plan is still shaky, and official hopes of its speedy approval by the country's Senate seemed to have been dashed this week.

The Economist

Beneath such lofty statements, though, was a complicated political fight provoked unexpectedly last week when Mr. Berlusconi ordered his party's government ministers to resign from the shaky coalition, in hopes of forcing new elections.

The New York Times

Critics say this is an accounting sleight of hand because shaky banks have no hope of ever paying significant amounts of taxes.

The New York Times

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars from his personal fortune to Bruno-run political funds, hoping to fortify Mr. Bruno's shaky hold on power.

The New York Times

Just months ago, when President Obama's re-election hopes were shaky, Ms. Sommers was considered a Republican candidate to replace Mr. Gensler as chairman of the trading commission.

The New York Times

He hoped his shaky iPhone video would help police make sense of what had just unfolded.

Huffington Post

Many economists predict that the United States will lose at least two million more jobs, even though they continue to hold out hope for a shaky expansion to take hold in the second half of this year.

The New York Times

Some Aleppo residents, who say they're pessimistic about the longevity of such a shaky truce, say they just hope aid shows up before hostilities inevitably resume.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shaky hope" to convey a sense of uncertainty or instability regarding a desired outcome. It is suitable when the possibility of success is questionable.

Common error

Avoid using "shaky hope" excessively in formal or academic writing where a more precise and objective term might be more appropriate. Consider using alternatives like "uncertain prospect" or "tenuous expectation" for enhanced clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shaky hope" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "shaky" modifies the noun "hope". It describes the quality of the hope as being unstable or uncertain. Ludwig AI examples show it used to express fragile optimism.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shaky hope" is a valid phrase used to express uncertainty regarding a positive outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Although relatively rare, it appears mainly in news and media contexts, making it suitable for neutral communication. When a more formal or precise term is needed, consider alternatives like "tenuous hope" or "uncertain prospect". While grammatically sound, exercise caution in overuse, particularly in formal or academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tenuous hope

Emphasizes the fragility and instability of the hope.

fragile hope

Highlights the delicacy and vulnerability of the hope.

slim hope

Indicates that the possibility of success is very small.

remote hope

Suggests that the likelihood of the hope being realized is distant.

faint hope

Implies that the hope is weak and barely perceptible.

unstable expectation

Focuses on the lack of stability in the anticipated outcome.

uncertain prospect

Highlights the unpredictable nature of the possibility.

dubious anticipation

Emphasizes the doubt and skepticism surrounding the anticipation.

precarious outlook

Focuses on the vulnerable and insecure nature of the future.

faltering optimism

Highlights the weakening of a positive attitude.

FAQs

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

You can use "shaky hope" to express uncertainty about a situation, such as "Despite the setbacks, they clung to a shaky hope for a positive resolution".

What can I say instead of "shaky hope"?

You can use alternatives like "tenuous hope", "fragile hope", or "slim hope" depending on the context.

Is "shaky hope" too informal for academic writing?

While "shaky hope" is understandable, in academic writing, it might be better to use more formal alternatives such as "uncertain prospect" or "tenuous expectation" for greater precision.

What's the difference between "shaky hope" and "false hope"?

"Shaky hope" implies uncertainty about a positive outcome, while "false hope" means there is no real chance of a positive outcome, implying the hope is ultimately misleading.