tenuous hope

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tenuous hope" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a hope that is weak, fragile, or not firmly established, often in contexts where the likelihood of success is low. Example: "Despite the challenges ahead, she held onto a tenuous hope that things would improve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

From the time he was recruited as commander in chief in 1775, Washington personified the often tenuous hope of unity among the 13 fractious colonies.

The New York Times

To understand the tenuous hope of possibly ending DR Congo's conflict, it is important to look at how M23 rebels were recently routed from its main bases by the Congolese army, a force generally known for its indiscipline, inefficiency and corruption.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Two months before his death, a Newsweek report noted: "Among homosexuals, the news also produced some tenuous hopes.

The Guardian

On the ninth floor of the Four Seasons and at the campaign headquarters, people channeled their tenuous hopes along two tracks.

The New York Times

He lost a living icon of the French left and crippled his already tenuous hopes of a second term in the Elysée Palace.

Independent

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — The leader of the Taliban of the Swat region announced a long-term cease-fire on Tuesday, handing the Pakistani military a respite from fighting, and raising tenuous hopes for peace.

The New York Times

This morning's incident occurred just hours after new round of diplomatic talks between representatives from Ukraine, Russia, France, and Germany concluded in Berlin; shattering already tenuous hopes for a new peace deal.

Vice

As if conscious of this tenuous connection, Hope and Knauer never quite took off in the opening allegro; Hope's phrasing was woolly and Knauer's incoherent and muddy, and while the closing allegretto grazioso fizzed well enough, the whole piece felt lumpy and uneven.

The Guardian - Music

But security remains tenuous.

The New York Times

Also today, Stanford (13-9, 9-4) will play host to Arizona 15-100, 8-6) in a matchup of teams with tenuous N.C.A.A. hopes.

The New York Times

But there is a less tenuous reason for hope: arithmetic.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tenuous hope" when you want to convey that a hope exists, but it is fragile and easily disrupted. This implies a situation where positive outcomes are not guaranteed and require careful nurturing.

Common error

Avoid using "tenuous hope" in contexts that are overwhelmingly positive or assured. The phrase carries a sense of fragility, which can create dissonance if the situation is inherently secure. Consider alternatives like "growing optimism" or "increasing confidence" when describing positive trends.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tenuous hope" functions as a noun phrase where "tenuous" modifies the noun "hope". This combination serves to qualify the nature of hope, indicating it is fragile, uncertain, and not firmly established. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase correctly follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tenuous hope" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English, indicating a weak or fragile expectation. As evidenced by Ludwig's analysis, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While its frequency is relatively rare, making it a distinctive choice, care should be taken to avoid overusing it in positive contexts where its inherent sense of fragility may be inappropriate. Consider alternatives such as "slim hope" or "fragile hope" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. The AI analysis confirms the phrase's validity and offers helpful context for its use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slim hope

Emphasizes the small probability of the hope being realized.

fragile hope

Highlights the delicate nature of the hope, suggesting it could easily be broken.

slight hope

Indicates a small degree of hope existing.

remote possibility

Shifts focus from hope to the unlikelihood of a positive outcome.

faint hope

Suggests the hope is weak and barely perceptible.

idle hope

Highlights that the hope has no solid foundations and is unlikely to be realized.

uncertain prospect

Focuses on the ambiguous and unpredictable nature of the future.

dubious expectation

Emphasizes skepticism about whether the expectation will be met.

modest expectation

Suggests the hope is limited and not overly optimistic.

guarded optimism

Implies a restrained and cautious sense of hope.

FAQs

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

You can use "tenuous hope" to describe a situation where there is a small chance of success or improvement, but it's not guaranteed. For example, "Despite the challenges, they clung to a "tenuous hope" that negotiations would succeed."

What phrases are similar to "tenuous hope"?

Similar phrases include "slim hope", "fragile hope", "faint hope", or "slight hope". These all suggest a weak or uncertain expectation.

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

Yes, "tenuous hope" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in news articles or analytical pieces. It conveys a sense of cautiousness and uncertainty, which can be valuable in objective reporting.

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

"Tenuous hope" suggests a weak and fragile expectation, while "strong hope" implies a confident and robust belief in a positive outcome. The choice depends on the specific context and the degree of certainty you wish to convey.