tenuous link

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tenuous link" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a weak or insubstantial connection between two ideas, concepts, or entities. Example: "The study attempted to establish a tenuous link between diet and mental health, but the evidence was not convincing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Yes, there may be a tenuous link with Islam.

The Economist

Or whatever tenuous link we could find between disparate plays.

The Guardian

Hmmm: there is only a very tenuous link between voting arrangements and the misbehaviour of MPs.

The Economist

The main character is Dutch (obviously), which gives us a tenuous link to South Africa".

The Guardian - Sport

So Washington didn't sleep here, but there is still a tenuous link.

The New York Times

This Olympics made explicit the tenuous link between athletic success and nationalistic fervour.

The Guardian - Books

What's remarkable is the tenuous link between conduct and its consequences.

The New York Times

He even unearths a tenuous link with the bloodline of Nelson Mandela.

The New York Times - Books

Yet the sonata also bears a tenuous link to Scelsi's later fascination with the implications of single, repeated tones.

The New York Times - Arts

The woman's face at the top, partly broken up by abstract patches cutting across, retains a tenuous link to reality.

The New York Times - Arts

It was May who provides one rather curious and tenuous link between William Morris and James Joyce.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tenuous link" to express skepticism or uncertainty about a relationship or association between two things. This accurately conveys a lack of strong evidence or support for the connection.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "tenuous link" as a major or definitive connection. It is crucial to accurately represent the weakness of the relationship to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tenuous link" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a relationship that is weak, uncertain, or lacks substantial evidence. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable presence in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tenuous link" is a noun phrase used to describe a connection that is weak, uncertain, or lacks substantial support. Ludwig's analysis confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media, but also science, and business contexts. While versatile, it's important to employ the phrase when you aim to express skepticism or a qualified relationship between entities. Related alternatives include "weak connection", "fragile relationship", and "slim connection". By understanding its proper usage and potential pitfalls, writers can effectively and appropriately incorporate the phrase "tenuous link" into their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weak connection

Replaces "tenuous" with "weak", emphasizing the lack of strength in the connection.

fragile relationship

Substitutes "link" with "relationship" and "tenuous" with "fragile", highlighting the delicate nature of the connection.

slim connection

Uses "slim" instead of "tenuous" to convey a sense of thinness or lack of substance in the connection.

slight association

Replaces both words to indicate a minimal and potentially insignificant relationship.

remote connection

Emphasizes the indirect or distant nature of the link.

insubstantial connection

Replaces "tenuous" with a more descriptive adjective, "insubstantial", stressing the lack of concrete basis.

dubious connection

Highlights the uncertainty or questionability of the connection.

uncertain relationship

Replaces "link" with "relationship" and emphasizes doubt regarding the link's validity or strength.

flimsy connection

Implies that the connection is not only weak but also easily broken or dismissed.

marginal association

Indicates that the association is barely significant or on the periphery.

FAQs

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

Use "tenuous link" to describe a connection or relationship that is weak, uncertain, or poorly supported. For example: "The study established a "tenuous link" between the two variables, but more research is needed."

What are some alternatives to "tenuous link"?

You can use alternatives such as "weak connection", "fragile relationship", or "slim connection" depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "tenuous link" is appropriate for formal writing as it is a clear and precise way to describe a weak or uncertain connection. It is commonly used in academic, scientific, and professional contexts.

What's the difference between "tenuous link" and "strong correlation"?

"Tenuous link" implies a weak and possibly unsubstantiated relationship, whereas "strong correlation" suggests a statistically significant and reliable relationship between two variables. They are near opposites in meaning.