tenuous document

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tenuous document" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a document that is weak, insubstantial, or lacking in solid evidence or support. Example: "The lawyer presented a tenuous document as evidence, which failed to convince the jury of the defendant's innocence."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In many cases, we are left to reconstruct tribe-state interactions based only on the ephemera of excavated nomadic encampments, tantalizing implications gleaned from the context of primary documents, and tenuous analogies with modern tribes.

University of Chicago

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

Wylie beautifully documents Pompeii's present by engaging with the tenuous relationship that the archaeological site maintains with the past.

Yale University

For people who don't recognize the government or its instruments, sovereign citizens put an enormous value on any document that seems to favor their view, no matter how tenuous it may be.

The Guardian

Mair's links with far-right groups in the US and South Africa are well documented, but his associations with similar organisations closer to home appear more tenuous.

The Guardian

Maisie may have tenuous credentials for serving in such high-powered company, but Winspear uses her visits to hospitals and mental asylums to document the outdated protocols used for treating war-damaged psyches.

The New York Times - Books

Tenuous Tether.

Harvard University

The calm is tenuous.

The New York Times

A tenuous calm reigns.

The New Yorker

The situation remains tenuous.

The New York Times - Sports

It's tenuous, obviously.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tenuous document", ensure that the context clearly indicates why the document is considered weak or lacking. Providing specific examples of the document's shortcomings can strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "tenuous document" to describe a document that is merely incomplete or requires further clarification. The phrase implies a fundamental weakness or lack of support, not simply a need for additional information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tenuous document" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "tenuous" modifies the noun "document". The adjective serves to describe the quality of the document, indicating its weakness or lack of solid support. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tenuous document" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a document that is weak, unsubstantiated, or unreliable. Ludwig AI validates its usability. While direct examples are absent, related phrases and contexts suggest its application across news, academic, and general writing. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly articulates the document's deficiencies. Alternative options such as "fragile document" or "weak document" exist to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fragile document

Replaces "tenuous" with "fragile", focusing on the document's vulnerability.

weak document

Substitutes "tenuous" with "weak", emphasizing a lack of strength or substance.

flimsy document

Replaces "tenuous" with "flimsy", highlighting the document's lack of solidity.

unsubstantiated document

Uses "unsubstantiated" instead of "tenuous", pointing out a lack of supporting evidence.

poorly supported document

Replaces "tenuous" with "poorly supported", indicating insufficient evidence or backing.

shaky document

Uses "shaky" instead of "tenuous", suggesting instability or unreliability.

dubious document

Replaces "tenuous" with "dubious", emphasizing uncertainty or doubt about the document's validity.

questionable document

Substitutes "tenuous" with "questionable", suggesting that the document's accuracy or legitimacy is in doubt.

contentious document

Replaces "tenuous" with "contentious", highlighting the controversial nature of the document.

disputable document

Uses "disputable" instead of "tenuous", pointing out that the document's claims can be challenged.

FAQs

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

You can use "tenuous document" to describe evidence that lacks solid support or is questionable. For example: "The lawyer presented a tenuous document as evidence, which the judge quickly dismissed."

What are some alternatives to "tenuous document"?

Some alternatives include "fragile document", "weak document", or "unsubstantiated document". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to describe a document as "tenuous"?

Describing a document as "tenuous" implies that its claims are not well-supported, its arguments are easily challenged, or its relevance is questionable. It suggests a lack of solidity or strength.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "tenuous document"?

It is appropriate to use "tenuous document" when you want to express that a document provides very little support for a claim or argument, perhaps because of unreliable sources, logical fallacies, or missing information.