trace of hope

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trace of hope" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or faint indication of optimism or possibility in a situation that may seem bleak. Example: "Despite the challenges we faced, there was still a trace of hope that things would improve in the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I feel that all doors are shut and there's not a trace of hope or light at the end of the tunnel anymore".

The New York Times

She added: "If this terrible news is true, the last trace of hope that the art works would return is definitively gone.

The Guardian - Arts

In a year when Republicans have high hopes for seizing a stack of Midwestern governorships from Democrats — Iowa, Michigan and perhaps Illinois, Ohio and Wisconsin — the race here is seen as a rare trace of hope for Democrats to do the seizing.

The New York Times

There is no trace of hope to be found on Pornography, and it makes songs like "The Hanging Garden" and the aptly titled "Cold" capable of sucking the joy right out of a room.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

With resignation, nostalgia and traces of hope, she closed the lid, took one last look around, and stepped through the door.

Nature

Traces of Hope was set in northern Uganda, where a 16-year-old boy called Joseph arrived in a camp for displaced people.

The Guardian

Nearly every day, government forces and insurgents shell each other across Mogadishu's already dilapidated neighborhoods, scattering bodies and any remaining traces of hope.

The New York Times

"I believe that if Brown was re-elected next spring, the last traces of hope and optimism and confidence about our national future would drain away".

The Guardian

Italia 90 was a godsend to a domestic game that was desperate for the smallest traces of hope against a backdrop of endless barrages of criticism from all quarters.

The Guardian - Sport

In the past three or four years, he says, the number of ARGs going on at any one time has gone from a handful to around 30.In September 2008 the British Red Cross launched "Traces of Hope", the first ARG to be commissioned by a big charity.

The Economist

One example is: It can be seen that, not versed in the art of pretending, I have exposed the distressing situations that burdened my feelings as I absorbed the Daedalus of laws and decrees which in a large number of cases restricted the rights of workers, or, if they recognized them, it would be to kill the last trace of the hope of justice.

Latin American Economic Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trace of hope", ensure that the surrounding context emphasizes the difficulty or negativity of the situation to effectively highlight the small presence of hope.

Common error

Avoid using "trace of hope" when a stronger sense of optimism is warranted. If the situation has clear positive indicators, opt for phrases like "glimmer of hope" or "ray of hope" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trace of hope" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a minimal or barely perceptible amount of optimism. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trace of hope" is a grammatically sound and usable noun phrase, typically used to express a faint or minimal amount of optimism in challenging situations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While relatively rare, the phrase finds its primary contexts in News & Media and Science, conveying a sense of fragile or lingering positivity. To enhance your writing, remember to use "trace of hope" when you want to acknowledge difficulties while still suggesting a glimmer of positive expectation. Avoid overstating the degree of optimism if a stronger emotion is warranted. Related alternatives include "glimmer of hope" and "hint of hope", each with its own nuances. Understanding these subtleties will help you craft more precise and impactful messages.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

glimmer of hope

Indicates a faint and uncertain sign of something positive, suggesting a slightly stronger presence of hope than "trace of hope".

hint of hope

Suggests a subtle indication of potential positivity, similar to "trace of hope" but possibly more suggestive.

ray of hope

Implies a more distinct and encouraging sign of positivity, suggesting a clearer direction or solution.

spark of hope

Highlights a sudden, small burst of optimism, emphasizing the potential for growth.

semblance of hope

Indicates an outward appearance or imitation of hope, which might not be genuine.

flicker of hope

Suggests an intermittent or unsteady sign of hope, emphasizing its fragility.

vestige of hope

Highlights a remaining, often small, indication of hope from something that is disappearing.

iota of hope

Implies an extremely small amount of hope, almost insignificant.

suggestion of hope

Indicates a subtle or indirect indication, where hope is implied rather than explicitly stated.

sign of hope

A general indication that something positive might happen. Broader than "trace of hope" but similar.

FAQs

How can I use "trace of hope" in a sentence?

You can use "trace of hope" to describe a small or faint indication of optimism in a difficult situation. For example, "Despite the devastating news, there was still a trace of hope that things would eventually improve."

What are some alternatives to "trace of hope"?

Alternatives include "glimmer of hope", "hint of hope", or "ray of hope", depending on the intensity and clarity of the hope you want to convey.

Is it better to say "trace of hope" or "sign of hope"?

"Trace of hope" suggests a very faint or small indication, while "sign of hope" implies a more noticeable indication. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the degree of optimism present in the situation.

What's the difference between "trace of hope" and "vestige of hope"?

"Trace of hope" refers to a faint indication of optimism, while "vestige of hope" implies a remaining trace from something that is fading or disappearing. "Vestige" suggests something that once was more substantial.