tenuous concept

USAGE SUMMARY

"tenuous concept" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe an idea or notion that is weakly supported or not well-defined. For example: "The theory presented was merely a tenuous concept, lacking substantial evidence." Alternative expressions include "fragile idea" and "weak notion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Given the absurdity of a universe ruled by chance, in which harmoniums suddenly appear on sidewalks and frogs rain from the sky (as happens at a key moment in "Magnolia") responsibility may be a tenuous concept, but it is what holds Mr. Anderson's couples and communities together.

The New York Times

Europe has always been a rather tenuous concept.

Huffington Post

In addition, the relative importance of predictor variables is a tenuous concept, and comparison of the importance of predictors is not always the best approach in multiple regression.

BMC Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Despite its tenuous umbrella concept about the hidden forces that suck us in, deceive us, and rip us off, Starsuckers is nevertheless an effective look at immorality in the media.

Vice

At its worst, it is exploitative, coming up with products that make a tenuous link with the concept of halal – patronising customers in the way that some suppliers seek to create "girly" versions of mainstream products.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the concept is a tenuous thread on which to hang an art show.

The New York Times

And who don't particularly want a High Concept set of tenuous white-knuckle connections made in easily identified three-point propositions.

Independent

William James, Henry Bumstead, and others criticized both Adams's tenuous grasp of the scientific concepts that he invoked, as well as the arbitrariness of his application of those concepts as metaphors for the evolution of human thought and society.

Wikipedia

Laurie Anderson's "Homeland," a concept album about the tenuous state of contemporary America songs deal with torture (or, if you'd prefer, enhanced interrogation), health care, religion, and the recent and ongoing economic collapse has been rumored for a long time, and Anderson has played sections of the piece on tour for more than two years.

The New Yorker

There's a grain of truth here, of course, mixed in with a deliberate oversimplification of the concept of "community policing," which, however tenuous and flawed, at least begins with the idea that police actually serve the community they patrol and are not an occupying army.

Huffington Post

These concept driven performance images focused on the tenuous quality of identity in the Age of 15 Minute Fame.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tenuous concept", ensure the context clearly explains why the concept is weak or lacks a solid foundation. Provide specific reasons or examples to support your assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "tenuous concept" when a stronger term like "erroneous" or "fallacious" is more appropriate. Tenuous implies a weakness, not necessarily a complete falsehood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tenuous concept" primarily functions as a descriptive term. It modifies the noun "concept" to indicate that the idea is weak, uncertain, or lacks a solid basis. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tenuous concept" describes an idea that is weak or lacks a strong foundation. It's grammatically correct and best used in contexts where you want to express skepticism or indicate that an idea requires further support. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for formal and neutral registers. While alternatives such as "fragile concept" or "weak concept" exist, "tenuous concept" offers a nuanced way to critique ideas in academic, professional, or journalistic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fragile concept

Focuses on the vulnerability and easily broken nature of the idea.

weak concept

Emphasizes the lack of strength or support for the idea.

uncertain concept

Highlights the doubt and lack of clarity surrounding the idea.

shaky concept

Suggests instability and a lack of solid foundation.

flimsy concept

Implies a lack of substance and poor construction of the idea.

unstable concept

Stresses the changeable and unpredictable nature of the concept.

delicate concept

Highlights the need for careful handling due to potential fragility.

thin concept

Indicates a lack of depth or complexity in the idea.

speculative concept

Implies the concept is based on conjecture rather than evidence.

dubious concept

Expresses uncertainty or disbelief about the concept.

FAQs

What does "tenuous concept" mean?

A "tenuous concept" refers to an idea or notion that is weak, poorly supported, or lacks a solid foundation. It suggests the concept is easily challenged or refuted.

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

You might say, "The researcher presented a "tenuous concept", relying on limited data to support his claims." This indicates the idea is not well-substantiated.

What are some alternatives to "tenuous concept"?

Alternatives include "fragile concept", "weak concept", or "uncertain concept", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "tenuous concept" in formal writing?

Yes, "tenuous concept" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when analyzing or critiquing ideas. Ensure your assessment is supported by evidence and logical reasoning.