tiny hope

USAGE SUMMARY

"tiny hope" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express a very faint hope or a slim chance in a given situation. For example, "Despite being dismissed by the committee, I held onto a tiny hope that my proposal would be accepted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

One response to a terminal diagnosis is wild grasping at a tiny hope.

The Guardian

There's always some tiny hope (strange things do happen), but the answer is almost certainly no, it can't.

The New York Times - Books

I also had a teeny, tiny hope that those people who vehemently disagree with me would maybe see the other side of the story and understand.

The New York Times

It would be based only on a tiny hope, because it would take a miracle for the son to step out of the father's shadow.

The Economist

Shteyngart has a tiny hope that Lake Success may do some good in the world by falling into the hands of an impressionable teen, or someone currently unhappy in banking.

The Guardian - Books

Not a snow cat's chance in Hell on that last point I'd say, Ken, and any tiny hope of a warm welcome in Tower Hamlets Labour circles has surely evaporated too.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

When you chat to them you see so clearly that behind the big dreams are tiny hopes: a home, shelter, family, safety.

The Guardian - Opinion

But I still retain the tiny, irrational hope that the whole thing will turn out to have been a terrible mistake (for all the good it would do me at that point).

The New Yorker

The categories list the steps: Tiny Tots, Hopes, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Intensive Gold, Elite.

The New York Times - Sports

Then you have to remember the URL and type it accurately on a tiny keyboard, hoping that the autocomplete doesn't take you to an irrelevant deep link.

The Guardian

Nearly 20 years after the genocide, the tiny state hopes to become an ICT pioneer in east Africa, although it is still seeking a major investor.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tiny hope" when you want to express that there is still a reason to be positive, even in a dire situation. It's suitable for conveying resilience and a refusal to give up completely.

Common error

Avoid using "tiny hope" when the situation warrants a stronger expression of optimism. If there's substantial evidence supporting a positive outcome, opt for phrases like "reasonable expectation" or "significant prospect" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tiny hope" functions as a noun phrase that serves as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a state of mind characterized by minimal optimism. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's perfectly correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tiny hope" is a grammatically correct and neutrally-registered expression used to convey a faint expectation or slim chance of a positive outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for expressing minimal optimism even in difficult circumstances. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media sources. While it's not incorrect to use in more formal contexts, be aware that a different alternative might be more fitting. When writing, use "tiny hope" to inject a note of positivity into somber situations, but ensure that it doesn't overstate the degree of optimism warranted by the facts. It shares similarities with phrases like "slim chance" or "faint possibility", but emphasizes the presence of at least some positive expectation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slim hope

Synonymous with "tiny hope", emphasizing the minimal amount of optimism.

iota of hope

Uses "iota" to signify an extremely small amount of hope.

mere glimmer of hope

Emphasizes the faintness and insubstantiality of the hope.

faint possibility

Highlights the weak likelihood of something occurring.

slight chance

Focuses on the probabilistic aspect, emphasizing a low probability of success.

small degree of optimism

Expresses a limited amount of positive expectation.

outside chance

Suggests the event is unlikely but not impossible.

remote possibility

Indicates a distant and improbable outcome.

ray of light

Metaphorically suggests a minimal positive sign in a negative situation.

whisper of expectation

Conveys a subtle and almost imperceptible sense of anticipation.

FAQs

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

You can use "tiny hope" to express a faint expectation of a positive outcome, even in a difficult situation. For example, "Despite the low odds, I still held onto a "tiny hope" that they would find a solution."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "tiny hope"?

Similar phrases include "slim chance", "faint possibility", or "mere glimmer of hope". They all convey a low degree of optimism.

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

Yes, "tiny hope" is suitable for formal writing, but consider the audience and context. It can add a touch of humanity or realism, but ensure it aligns with the overall tone. Alternatives like "minimal expectation" might be more appropriate in certain scenarios.

What's the difference between "tiny hope" and "false hope"?

"Tiny hope" implies a real, albeit small, chance of something positive happening. "False hope" suggests an unfounded or misleading belief in a positive outcome that is unlikely or impossible.