small hope

USAGE SUMMARY

"small hope" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to express a feeling of meager optimism or when someone is feeling despondent. For example: Despite the situation, Bob held on to a small hope that things would eventually get better.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Today's ceremony also saw illustrator Levi Pinfold win the CILIP Kate Greenaway medal for only his second picture book, Black Dog, in which a little girl, Small Hope, faces down a huge black dog.

The Guardian

We just have small hope.

The Guardian

"We have a small hope for tomorrow and it's going to be very difficult," Davydenko said.

The New York Times - Sports

Is there a small hope that he might be considering something courageous?

The Guardian - Opinion

The quaint Small Hope beach offers deckchair hire and a cafe.

The Guardian - Travel

Unlike Elliott, though, Oreskovic still clings to some small hope that his Carrier job can be saved.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

From small talk, small hopes spring eternal.

The New York Times

Andy Ipswich Town I have very small hopes for the club this season.

The Guardian - Sport

At his best, which he's at with some frequency here, he writes in a crackling way about small hopes and larger despair.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Martin said he had no idea how his invention might ultimately be used, but he is not a man of small hopes.

The New York Times

We can be better than the audacity of small hopes.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "small hope" when you want to express a limited degree of optimism in a situation where positive outcomes are uncertain. It's suitable when acknowledging the unlikelihood of success while still clinging to some expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "small hope" when there's a significant chance of success. If the situation is more promising, opt for phrases that convey a stronger sense of optimism, rather than downplaying it with "small hope".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small hope" functions as a noun phrase where "small" modifies the noun "hope". Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small hope" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that conveys a limited degree of optimism. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is appropriate for various contexts, particularly when expressing a minimal expectation of a positive outcome in uncertain situations. Its neutral register and frequent appearance in news and media sources make it a versatile choice for writers aiming to convey a sense of subdued anticipation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tiny bit of hope

Emphasizes the minuscule quantity of hope present.

faint glimmer of hope

Adds 'glimmer' to emphasize the weak or barely noticeable nature of the hope.

feeble hope

Highlights the weakness and fragility of the hope.

slim chance

Replaces 'hope' with 'chance', suggesting a low probability of something happening.

a ray of hope

Offers a bit more encouragement compared to 'small hope'.

slight possibility

Substitutes 'hope' with 'possibility' and 'small' with 'slight', both indicating a low degree of likelihood.

remote possibility

Emphasizes how unlikely the positive outcome may be.

limited prospect

Uses 'prospect' instead of 'hope', conveying a restricted outlook for a positive outcome.

modest optimism

Focuses on a subdued positive outlook.

minimal expectation

Replaces 'hope' with 'expectation', indicating a very low level of anticipation for a desired result.

FAQs

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

You can use "small hope" to express a minimal amount of optimism in a difficult situation. For example, "Despite the setbacks, they still harbored a "small hope" that they would succeed".

What are some alternatives to saying "small hope"?

Alternatives include phrases like "slim chance", "slight possibility", or "limited prospect", each conveying a similar sense of meager optimism.

Is it grammatically correct to say "small hope"?

Yes, the phrase "small hope" is grammatically sound and commonly used in English writing and speech to denote a minor or faint expectation of a positive outcome, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

What's the difference between "small hope" and "little hope"?

While both phrases indicate a reduced degree of optimism, "small hope" might suggest a slightly more active or persistent feeling than "little hope", which can imply a near absence of expectation.