tenuous desire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tenuous desire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a weak or fragile longing for something, often implying that the desire is not strong or firmly established. Example: "Her tenuous desire to travel was overshadowed by her fear of flying."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The only limit is the tenuous desire to stop.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The track, meanwhile, explores a tenuous relationship with desire over a jazzy keyboard progression and a lithe house rhythm.

Vice

Picture this: late night coding, new and tenuous liaisons, the driving desire to create something great and just a dash of booze.

TechCrunch

It also features a spoken word section about the tenuous relationship between frustration and desire.

Vice

It also features a spoken word section about the tenuous relationship between frustration and desire.

Vice

Angelou uses the parallel demonstration to King's 1963 March on Washington to demonstrate both her and her fellow expatriates' tenuous relationship with Africa and her desire for full citizenship and assimilation, an "unattainable goal that falls outside of her desire for assimilation" and something she can never acquire in Ghana.

Wikipedia

There is also fear that a trade bill, which has tenuous support in both chambers and which Mr. Obama greatly desires, would sail through Congress.

The New York Times

In Rohmer's world, love is a tenuous faith that is constantly being tested by the pressure of wild desires.

The New Yorker

If so, these loyalists now possess a most tenuous basis to claim that their hostility to Senator Burris is motivated by a desire to neutralize a corrupt process.

Huffington Post

It had the desired effect of provoking outrage, but the point it was making was also pretty tenuous, because fascism in Scotland has nearly always been rooted in British rather than Scottish nationalism.

Vice

It surprises even Zhenya herself to learn how tenuous is her sentimental attachment to the idea of community action -- no match at all for her competing desire to shake up, if not to destroy, a home that has become for her a veritable prison of numbness and grief.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tenuous desire", ensure the context clearly establishes the reason for the weakness or fragility of the longing. Providing specific details will make the phrase more impactful and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "tenuous desire" when describing a powerful or overwhelming feeling. The adjective "tenuous" implies a lack of strength, which would contradict the intensity of the desire.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tenuous desire" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "tenuous" modifies the noun "desire". It describes the quality of the desire, indicating its fragility or lack of strength. As shown by Ludwig, it can describe a fragile longing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tenuous desire" is a grammatically correct but relatively uncommon phrase used to describe a weak or fragile longing. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While its usage spans various contexts, it appears most frequently in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly justifies the weakness of the desire to avoid ambiguity. If a more common or impactful expression is needed, consider alternatives like "weak yearning" or "fragile longing".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fragile longing

Substitutes "tenuous" with "fragile", highlighting the delicate and easily broken nature of the desire.

weak yearning

Replaces "desire" with a synonym that emphasizes a gentle or melancholic longing, and "tenuous" with a more straightforward indicator of weakness.

uncertain craving

Highlights the wavering and doubtful quality of the desire.

unsubstantial craving

Focuses on the lack of a solid foundation for the craving.

feeble aspiration

Uses a more formal term for desire, and replaces "tenuous" with a synonym indicating lack of strength.

hesitant inclination

Emphasizes the reluctance or uncertainty associated with the desire.

delicate appetite

Replaces "desire" with a synonym that highlights a subtle or refined longing.

faint wish

Replaces both words to convey a barely perceptible hope or inclination.

flimsy ambition

Implies that the desire is not well-supported or likely to succeed.

slim hope

Focuses on the possibility rather than the desire itself, suggesting a small chance of fulfillment.

FAQs

How can "tenuous desire" be used in a sentence?

"Tenuous desire" describes a weak or fragile longing. For example: "Despite her initial enthusiasm, her "tenuous desire" to learn the piano faded after a few difficult lessons."

What are some alternatives to "tenuous desire"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "weak yearning", "fragile longing", or "faint wish" to express a similar meaning.

Is "tenuous desire" a common expression?

While grammatically correct and understandable, "tenuous desire" is not a very common phrase. Consider whether a more direct or frequently used alternative might be more effective.

What does "tenuous" mean in the context of "tenuous desire"?

In this context, "tenuous" means weak, fragile, or uncertain. It suggests that the desire is not firmly established or easily maintained.