tenuous connections

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tenuous connections" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe weak or fragile links between ideas, concepts, or entities. Example: "The research highlighted the tenuous connections between social media usage and mental health outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

There are, though, some tenuous connections.

Independent

Some have close links, others tenuous connections, with the spirit of the founder.

The New York Times

The region was also home to several linguistic isolates, or languages that have only tenuous connections to a major language family (see also North American Indian languages).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Through a series of tenuous connections, Bender managed to get the script to Harvey Keitel, and, once Keitel was interested, the money followed.

The New Yorker

The entire story, writes Mr. Drewniak, "strains to make tenuous connections," and ignores the valid nonpolitical reasons that the indictment was dismissed.

The New York Times

Immersing myself in period documents, I saw tenuous connections between the worlds of fantasy and medicine, between fairy dust and consumption.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Other times there was "a tenuous connection".

The Guardian - Business

So despite our somewhat tenuous connection, we were family.

The Guardian - Opinion

Judge McMahon's ruling highlighted Herb Allen's tenuous connection to his late cousin.

The New York Times

Why not, say, sports drinks, power bars or something with even a tenuous connection to tennis?

The New York Times - Sports

Ninety-nine percent of the population has a tenuous connection to the military at best.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing relationships that are not strongly supported by evidence, use "tenuous connections" to accurately convey the level of uncertainty or weakness.

Common error

Avoid using "tenuous connections" when the relationship is actually strong or well-established. Using it incorrectly can undermine your argument and mislead the reader about the nature of the link.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tenuous connections" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, often used to qualify nouns related to relationships, links, or associations. It indicates that these connections are weak, uncertain, or not well-substantiated. Ludwig AI shows various examples supporting this function.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

11%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tenuous connections" is a descriptive phrase used to indicate weak or uncertain relationships, found primarily in news and media, but also in scientific and encyclopedic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and shows its frequent use in describing relationships lacking strong support. When writing, use "tenuous connections" to precisely convey the level of uncertainty or weakness and avoid overstating the significance of such links. Alternatives like "fragile links" or "weak links" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tenuous relationships

Simply replaces "connections" with the synonym "relationships".

fragile links

Replaces "tenuous" with "fragile", emphasizing the vulnerability of the connections.

weak links

Uses "weak" instead of "tenuous", suggesting a lack of strength in the connections.

insubstantial ties

Replaces "connections" with "ties" and "tenuous" with "insubstantial", highlighting the lack of substance.

slight associations

Emphasizes the minimal nature of the connections using "slight associations".

indirect connections

Uses "indirect" to specify that connections are not direct or obvious.

loose affiliations

Suggests connections that are not tightly bound or formally established, using "loose affiliations".

flimsy relationships

Indicates the connections are weak and easily broken, using "flimsy relationships".

remote links

Highlights the distance or indirectness of the connections, using "remote links".

circumstantial links

Suggests that connections are based on circumstances rather than inherent substance.

FAQs

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

You can use "tenuous connections" to describe relationships that are weak, fragile, or not well-supported. For example, "The investigation revealed only "tenuous connections" between the suspect and the crime scene."

What are some alternatives to "tenuous connections"?

Some alternatives include "fragile links", "weak links", or "insubstantial ties". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

Yes, "tenuous connections" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing relationships with limited supporting evidence. Its use indicates a careful and precise assessment of the situation.

What's the difference between "tenuous connections" and "strong connections"?

"Tenuous connections" implies a weak or uncertain relationship, while "strong connections" indicates a well-supported and significant relationship. They are antonyms and should be used to reflect the true nature of the link being described.