tenuous evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tenuous evidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe evidence that is weak, insubstantial, or lacking in strength or solidity. Example: "The prosecutor's case was built on tenuous evidence, making it difficult to secure a conviction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

For weeks, some law enforcement officials had complained they had tenuous evidence that Mr. Moussaoui had been involved in the Sept. 11 plot.

The New York Times

And sometimes they are based on truly tenuous evidence; both the Gandhi and King families were able to maintain enough privacy to thwart Dr. Ghaemi's research.

The New York Times - Books

By maintaining a bias to seek confirmatory information, government leaders launched a war in Iraq based on tenuous evidence while dismissing mounting evidence of emissions-induced climate change long after the data spoke volumes.

The New York Times

Vox's Fisher accuses Hersh - who won a Pulitzer in 1970 for exposing the My Lai massacre of Vietnamese civilians at the hands of US soldiers - of producing a growing number of difficult-to-believe exposes based on tenuous evidence.

BBC

There is tenuous evidence that a strong El Niño event could push the PDO back into a warm phase one in which El Niño events would be more common.

Science Magazine

"These letters question the loyalty of faithful Americans based on nothing more than their religious affiliations and what is at best tenuous evidence of their associations.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It is a designation that is often based on the most tenuous of evidence and one that often proves to be wrong.

The New York Times

They say that the doctrine is too wide, it's not applied properly and it allows a jury to convict on the most tenuous of evidence.

Independent

Some art historians believe that this situation has fostered a lack of caution in connecting works with historical persons, and that such connections often rest on tenuous circumstantial evidence.

Wikipedia

"There's a tendency for people to spin very convoluted stories on tenuous threads of evidence.

BBC

Surveys provide only tenuous and indirect evidence about these activities, and so it might behoove experimental philosophers to employ or devise outcome measures that would more reliably and directly capture these features of morality.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting an argument, avoid relying solely on "tenuous evidence". Strengthen your claims with robust and verifiable data to enhance credibility.

Common error

Resist the temptation to exaggerate the significance of "tenuous evidence". Acknowledge its limitations and avoid drawing definitive conclusions from it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tenuous evidence" functions as an adjective-noun combination. "Tenuous" modifies "evidence", indicating that the evidence is weak or unconvincing. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tenuous evidence" is used to describe proof that is weak, uncertain, or unconvincing. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It appears most frequently in news and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, acknowledge the limitations of the evidence and avoid overstating claims based on it. Alternatives include "flimsy proof" or "weak proof". Relying solely on "tenuous evidence" in decision-making is generally not recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flimsy proof

Replaces "evidence" with "proof", suggesting a weaker or more easily refuted form of verification.

weak proof

Replaces "tenuous" with "weak", underscoring the lack of strength or persuasiveness.

fragile indication

Substitutes both words to highlight the delicate and easily dismissed nature of the evidence.

shaky basis

Changes the noun to "basis", emphasizing the instability of the foundation or reason provided.

doubtful support

Focuses on the unreliability of the evidence in providing backing or justification.

unconvincing data

Uses "data" instead of "evidence", pointing to the lack of persuasive quality in the information presented.

speculative inference

Highlights the conjectural nature of the conclusion drawn from the available facts.

circumstantial lead

Emphasizes the indirect and suggestive nature of the evidence.

inconclusive grounds

Indicates that the evidence does not provide a definitive or decisive basis.

superficial justification

Suggests that the evidence offers only a shallow or surface-level rationale.

FAQs

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

You can use "tenuous evidence" to describe situations where the available proof is weak or unconvincing. For example, "The case rested on "tenuous evidence", making a conviction unlikely."

What are some alternatives to "tenuous evidence"?

Alternatives to "tenuous evidence" include phrases like "flimsy proof", "weak proof", or "fragile indication", all suggesting a lack of solid support.

Is it appropriate to base important decisions on "tenuous evidence"?

Generally, it is not advisable to base critical decisions solely on "tenuous evidence". It is better to gather additional, more reliable data to support your choices.

What does it mean when evidence is described as "tenuous"?

When evidence is described as "tenuous", it implies that the evidence is weak, uncertain, or barely sufficient to support a claim or argument. It suggests a need for more substantial proof.