tenuous history

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tenuous history" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a history that is weak, fragile, or lacking in substance or depth. Example: "The organization has a tenuous history, with many ups and downs that have shaped its current identity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Reference

Social Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even though it's tenuous, all recent history and signs are pointing to Florida pulling this one out.

The New York Times

Hasnat punishes her by sending her to Pakistan to deal with his fearsome mother – who, displaying a tenuous grasp of history, blames Diana for the partition of India.

The Guardian - Film

Even someone with the most tenuous grasp of history will be familiar with the Boston Tea Party.

Los Angeles Times

Columbus' legacy is on its way out and a half-hearted hashtag -- which is mostly populated by white supremacists with a tenuous grasp on history -- is the best indicator of it.

Huffington Post

However, we believe that our analyses, not confounded by tenuous population demographic history, may be considered as preliminary foundation for further replication studies in harbouring genes that underlie phenotypic variation in the racing horse.

DNA Research

Even today, free jazz and Miles Davis's electric music, for some, hold a tenuous place in jazz history.

The New York Times - Arts

Isango has in a recent press release tried to claim some sort of special status by virtue of a tenuous connection with the history of District Six.

The Economist

In one of the most tenuous justifications in the history of planning applications, the designers claim the pattern "references the stone tracery of an adjacent church".

The Guardian - Arts

Its leadership class has been represented by the men (and one woman) who ran for President this year, among them Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, and Marco Rubio, whose claims to a serious place in history are tenuous.

The New Yorker

By losing an election his place in history is tenuous.

Vice

Throughout the nation's history, a tenuous divide between pornography and art has been enforced.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tenuous history", ensure the context clearly indicates what aspect of the history is weak or uncertain. For example, is it the evidence, the connection to current events, or the overall narrative?

Common error

Avoid using "tenuous history" when you mean to say the history is fabricated or incorrect. "Tenuous" implies a lack of strength or certainty, not necessarily a falsehood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tenuous history" functions as an adjective-noun combination. "Tenuous" modifies "history", indicating that the history in question is weak, fragile, or not well-supported. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and usability of the phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tenuous history" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to describe a historical narrative or connection that is weak, fragile, or not well-supported. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is usable and valid. Although its frequency may be limited, it finds use in various contexts, including news, academia, and general discourse. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the context clearly defines what aspect of the history is "tenuous". Alternatives like "fragile historical record" or "weak historical link" might also be considered based on the specific nuance you want to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tenuous historical connection

More explicitly denotes a weak connection to historical events or periods.

fragile historical record

Focuses on the fragility of the historical documentation itself, rather than the strength of the history.

weak historical link

Emphasizes the feebleness of the connection to history.

shaky past

Refers to a past that is unstable or uncertain.

uncertain historical background

Highlights the ambiguity and lack of clarity in the historical context.

poorly documented history

Highlights a lack of adequate records rather than the strength of the actual history.

flimsy historical basis

Suggests the historical foundation is weak and easily challenged.

precarious historical foundation

Highlights the instability of the historical underpinning.

ill-defined historical roots

Emphasizes a lack of clarity and definition in the origins.

unsubstantiated historical narrative

Indicates that the historical story lacks sufficient evidence or support.

FAQs

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

You can use "tenuous history" to describe a situation where the historical evidence is weak or the connection to past events is not well-established. For example: "The theory has a "tenuous history", with little evidence to support its origins."

What are some alternatives to "tenuous history"?

Alternatives to "tenuous history" include "fragile historical record", "weak historical link", or "uncertain historical background", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "tenuous history" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a grammatically correct and understandable phrase. However, ensure that your context clearly defines the specific aspect of the history that is tenuous.

What's the difference between "tenuous history" and "dubious history"?

"Tenuous history" suggests a weak or uncertain connection to the past, while "dubious history" implies that the history is questionable or unreliable. The former focuses on the strength of the link, and the latter focuses on the trustworthiness of the historical information.