tenacious to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tenacious to" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct usage would typically involve "tenacious" being followed by "in" or "about" rather than "to." Example: "She is tenacious in her pursuit of success."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

He was tenacious, to put it mildly".

The Guardian

Powerful people can be demanding and you need to be flexible, confident and, above all, tenacious to secure their trust.

The Guardian

Some moderate and liberal Christians argue that the country's problems are too severe and that the religious is right too tenacious to turn away now.

The New York Times

At these Games, the most notable transition from tenacious to titillating (and quickly back again) came in the women's preliminary-round match between the United States and Spain last Wednesday.

The New York Times - Sports

If life can thrive under such extreme terrestrial conditions, the reasoning goes, it must be sufficiently adaptable and tenacious to spring up in what once would have been thought the most unlikely places.

The New York Times - Arts

No, but you will need to be very tenacious to continue on the academic path after joining the work force for a while.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

That includes dribbling confounding foes with her superb skill, creating goals thanks to her vision, and scoring them thanks to a tenacious desire to succeed.

The Guardian - Sport

She advises entrepreneurs to be tenacious and to get the right investor who will take a long-term view of the company.

The Guardian

For a timeline of Vittana's tenacious effort to open access to tertiary schools around the world, click here.

Huffington Post

According to a Daily Telegraph report, Baird said Bishop was "adored by her constituency and is known for her tenacious ability to take the fight to Labor".

The Guardian

They both began their careers in post rooms, share a tenacious attention to detail and, according to Holloway, "what drives us is the want for success".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatically correct writing, replace "tenacious to" with "tenacious in" or "determined to". This aligns with standard English usage and improves clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "to" after "tenacious". The correct prepositions are usually "in" or "about". For example, say "She is tenacious in her beliefs" instead of "She is tenacious to her beliefs".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tenacious to" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition. It aims to describe someone or something exhibiting persistence or determination. While used in various contexts, Ludwig AI indicates it is not grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Unknown/unmatched sources

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "tenacious to" is used in various sources, including news and media, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Standard English prefers using "tenacious in" or "determined to" to convey persistence or determination. Usage analysis reveals its presence across neutral to formal registers, indicating broad applicability despite grammatical concerns. When writing, it's advisable to opt for grammatically correct alternatives to ensure clarity and adherence to established language norms. The phrase is considered common due to the number of examples found.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tenacious in

Changes the preposition to "in", aligning with standard English usage for expressing persistence in a specific area.

persistent in

Replaces "tenacious" with "persistent" and uses the preposition "in", emphasizing continued effort.

determined to

Uses "determined" instead of "tenacious", focusing on the decision-making aspect of persistence.

resolute in

Emphasizes a firm and unwavering quality of determination, using "resolute" and the preposition "in".

steadfast in

Indicates unwavering loyalty or commitment, using "steadfast" with "in".

unyielding in

Stresses an inflexible quality, indicating resistance to change or persuasion, using "unyielding" with "in".

unwavering in

Highlights consistency and lack of hesitation, using "unwavering" with "in".

dedicated to

Focuses on commitment and devotion, using "dedicated" instead of highlighting inherent strength.

committed to

Similar to dedicated, but emphasizes obligation and responsibility more strongly.

dogged in

Highlights relentless pursuit, using "dogged" with "in", emphasizing persistence despite difficulties.

FAQs

How should I correctly use "tenacious" in a sentence?

Use "tenacious in" or "tenacious about" followed by the area or subject of persistence. For example, "She is "tenacious in her pursuit" of justice."

What's a good alternative to "tenacious to" that maintains a similar meaning?

Alternatives include "persistent in", "determined to", or "resolute in", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "tenacious to" grammatically correct?

While "tenacious to" appears in some published sources, it is not considered standard English. "Tenacious in" is generally the preferred usage.

What is the difference between "tenacious in" and "determined to"?

"Tenacious in" emphasizes the strength and persistence applied to something, whereas "determined to" highlights the decision and commitment to achieve a goal.