tenuous claims

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tenuous claims" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe assertions or statements that are weak, uncertain, or lacking in solid evidence. Example: "The researcher presented several tenuous claims that lacked sufficient data to support them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Individual liberties have been sacrificed on far more tenuous claims.

The New York Times

But there are equally tenuous claims for a link between McCartney and Everton.

The Guardian - Sport

But these are tenuous claims when it comes to one of the festival's early dance offerings, "Le Grand Continental," by the Montreal choreographer Sylvain Émard.

The New York Times - Arts

The Local Government Association, which represents councils across England and Wales, said 68percentt of its member councils had experienced increases in tenuous claims since 2000.

The New York Times

By now you're possibly getting  furious at this column and saying, "WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?", but their tenuous claims, their egos and utter lack of self-awareness will keep you coming back for more.

Independent

In short, to cite the resurgence of a living language as evidence that a fully extinct tongue could be recovered hundreds of years down the line hardly substantiates the writer's tenuous claims.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

That's a tenuous claim and a tricky one.

The New York Times - Books

He says: "A democracy that ignores most of the public has a tenuous claim to legitimacy".

The Guardian - Opinion

Ibaraki is billed as Tokyo's third airport, after Narita and Haneda, but that is a rather tenuous claim.

The Economist

Though Duda seems to have at least a tenuous claim on left field, he does not see it that way.

The New York Times - Sports

Because of his tenuous claim to the throne, Minh Mang felt the threat of pretenders who were soliciting help from the French for his overthrow.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tenuous claims", ensure that you provide context to illustrate why the claims are considered weak or unsupported. This adds clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "tenuous claims" when the assertions are demonstrably false or fraudulent. "Tenuous" suggests a lack of strength, not necessarily outright falsehood. Use stronger terms like "false claims" or "fraudulent claims" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "tenuous claims" is to act as a noun phrase, where "tenuous" modifies the noun "claims". It describes the quality of the claims, indicating they are weak or poorly supported. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tenuous claims" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe assertions that are weak, poorly supported, or lack a solid foundation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is perfectly acceptable in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media, and scientific contexts. When using "tenuous claims", it's best practice to provide context illustrating the weakness of the claims to enhance clarity. Alternatives include "weak assertions" and "fragile arguments". However, be mindful not to use "tenuous claims" when the claims are demonstrably false; stronger terms may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsubstantiated assertions

Directly points out the lack of evidence supporting the claims.

tenuous propositions

Replaces "claims" with a more formal synonym, "propositions", maintaining the sense of weakness.

weak assertions

Emphasizes the lack of strength or validity in the statements.

questionable contentions

Highlights that the claims are open to doubt and debate.

fragile arguments

Highlights the vulnerability and lack of solid foundation of the arguments.

groundless accusations

Suggests the claims have no basis in reality.

dubious allegations

Focuses on the uncertainty and doubt surrounding the accusations.

shaky premises

Focuses on the instability and unreliability of the foundational assumptions.

debatable positions

Emphasizes that the claims are not universally accepted and are subject to disagreement.

flimsy pretenses

Implies that the claims are superficial and easily broken.

FAQs

How can I use "tenuous claims" in a sentence?

You can use "tenuous claims" to describe arguments or statements that lack a solid foundation or sufficient evidence. For example, "The defendant's lawyer presented several tenuous claims that the jury ultimately dismissed."

What are some alternatives to using "tenuous claims"?

Alternatives to "tenuous claims" include "weak assertions", "fragile arguments", or "dubious allegations", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "tenuous claims" or "weak claims"?

"Tenuous claims" and "weak claims" are similar, but "tenuous" implies a more fragile or uncertain connection, while "weak" simply suggests a lack of strength. Choose the word that best fits the context of the claims being described.

What makes a claim "tenuous"?

A claim is considered "tenuous" when it is based on insufficient evidence, relies on speculative reasoning, or has a doubtful connection to the matter at hand. It suggests the claim is easily challenged or refuted.