tenuous situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tenuous situation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that is unstable, uncertain, or fragile, often implying that it could easily change or collapse. Example: "The negotiations reached a tenuous situation, with both parties on the brink of a breakdown."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

"But it creates a very tenuous situation for everybody".

The New York Times

No one understood the tenuous situation better than General Saidkhail himself.

The New York Times

Suddenly Rivera, who had made Bonds look feeble, was in a tenuous situation.

The New York Times - Sports

Karsay was still in a tenuous situation, but he got Cirillo to fly out and struck out Sierra.

The New York Times - Sports

"We think it's a very tenuous situation that can change, but we're ready to support people that make that decision".

The New York Times

For the people who don't have the means, of course, they are there, and negotiating a very tenuous situation as best they can.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

He pitched his way out of two tenuous situations, including one he did not even create.

The New York Times - Sports

Here are the most tenuous situations: Rays: Tampa Bay swept the Yankees, and Fernando Rodney picked up a win and two saves.

The New York Times

QUESTION FROM SHAWN ALLADIO: Jon Lee, you observe and write about situations that require a person to step outside of normal daily behavior in tenuous situations oftentimes as a survival response.

The New Yorker

Given their own tenuous situations, most of his current players would have run through a Citi Field wall, across the bridge and into the Bronx had he asked them to.

The New York Times - Sports

The latest report based on research done by the Altimeter Group, and authored by Jeremiah Owyang, reveals that a "fire, ready, aim" approach to social media is leaving many enterprise level companies in tenuous situations.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "tenuous situation", be specific about the factors that make it unstable. Providing context strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the fragility of a "tenuous situation". Use precise language to convey the degree of instability without resorting to hyperbole.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tenuous situation" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "tenuous" modifies the noun "situation". As Ludwig AI points out, it describes a state characterized by instability or uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tenuous situation" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe unstable, uncertain, or fragile circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. Analysis reveals its frequent use in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business domains, highlighting its versatility. While several alternatives exist, such as "precarious position" or "fragile state", "tenuous situation" effectively conveys the delicacy and potential risk inherent in a given state of affairs. When employing this phrase, writers should strive for precision and avoid overstating the level of fragility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precarious position

Replaces "situation" with "position", emphasizing a state of potential danger or collapse.

fragile state

Substitutes "tenuous" with "fragile" and "situation" with "state", highlighting vulnerability and susceptibility to disruption.

unstable condition

Employs "unstable" instead of "tenuous" and "condition" rather than "situation", focusing on a lack of firmness or consistency.

delicate balance

Uses "delicate" to convey the fineness of the situation and "balance" to underscore the potential for disruption.

risky circumstances

Replaces "tenuous" with "risky" and "situation" with "circumstances", emphasizing potential negative outcomes.

uncertain state of affairs

Substitutes "tenuous" with "uncertain" and "situation" with "state of affairs", focusing on unpredictability and ambiguity.

shaky grounds

Uses "shaky" to imply instability and replaces "situation" with "grounds" emphasizing the base for something.

sensitive environment

Replaces "tenuous" with "sensitive" to highlight the delicate nature that can easily be disturbed.

volatile climate

Substitutes "tenuous" with "volatile" and "situation" with "climate", focusing on the proneness to sudden change.

critical juncture

Employs "critical" to convey the seriousness and "juncture" rather than "situation", underscoring a crucial turning point.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "tenuous situation" in a sentence?

Use "tenuous situation" to describe circumstances that are unstable, uncertain, or fragile. For example: "The peace agreement created a "tenuous situation" in the region."

What are some alternatives to "tenuous situation"?

Alternatives include "precarious position", "fragile state", or "unstable condition" depending on the specific context.

Is "tenuous situation" formal or informal?

"Tenuous situation" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What makes a situation "tenuous"?

A situation is "tenuous" when it is subject to change, easily disrupted, or lacks a strong foundation. Factors might include political instability, economic uncertainty, or social unrest.