Make Your Point > Archived Issues > TENUOUS

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"TENUOUS" Meaning: Literally, something tenuous is slim, slender, or thin. Figuratively, something tenuous is weak and flimsy and doesn't have enough substance. Pronunciation: TEN you us Part of speech: Adjective. (Adjectives are describing words, like “large” or “late.” They can be used in two ways: 1. Right before a noun, as in “a tenuous connection.” 2. After a linking verb, as in "The connection was tenuous.”) Other forms: tenuously, tenuity ("tuh NYOO it ee") How to use it: Talk about a tenuous grasp of something or a tenuous understanding of it, meaning you just barely get it. If you have tenuous access to something, you can only access it a tiny bit or in a very limited way.  A tenuous claim or argument, or a tenuous connection or link, is really shaky and unconvincing. If two people, groups, or nations have tenuous relations or a tenuous relationship, it's a flimsy, weak relationship that can't be counted on.  And a tenuous impulse, desire, or effort is just barely there and doesn't really result in much action. Notice how the tone of this word is usually negative, and note that all of the examples above are about tenuous things. We don't really talk about tenuous people. We received what I can only assume was a tenuous offer on the home we're trying to sell--a very low offer that was completely withdrawn when we countered with a price point in the middle. Her health had become more and more tenuous, so the end of her life was expected but still a tragedy. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "tenuous" means when you can explain it without saying "barely there" or "insubstantial." Think of a topic or issue that you just barely understand, and fill in the blank: "I admit my understanding of _____ is tenuous at best." Example: "I admit my understanding of conflicts in the Middle East is tenuous at best." Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game and quote below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Playing With Words: This month, we're playing with song lyrics that include words featured in issues of Make Your Point. I’ll give you a few lines from the song, with a blank where our word appears, along with its definition. See if you can come up with it! You can follow the link to see the right answer right away, or just wait until the following day’s issue. Have fun! Yesterday's lyrics: Artist: Elvis Costello Title: When It Sings Lyrics:    All the words you say to me    Have music in them    All the sorrows and the joys like _____    And a selfish boy looks through a prism    And says what is    But never asks what isn't Definition: charm and attraction that powerfully draws people in Answer: magnetism Try this one today: Artist: Fiona Apple Title: Left Alone Lyrics:    And now I'm hard, too hard to know    I don't cry when I'm sad anymore, no no    Tears _____ in my tummy    Fears coincide with the tow Definition: to become hard and rigid, like a bone Peek at the answer... A Point Well Made: Francis Bacon: “Prosperity is not without many fears and distastes; and adversity is not without comforts and hopes.” 1. One opposite of TENUOUS is A. SOFT B. HEALTHY C. SOLID 2. Once _____, the relationship has _____ into tenuity. A. funny .. morphed B. reliable .. fizzled C. inconsequential .. grown Answers are below. To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each day for free by Mrs. Liesl Johnson, M.Ed., a word lover, learning enthusiast, and private tutor of reading and writing in the verdant little town of Hilo, Hawaii. For writing tips, online learning, essay guidance, and more, please visit www.HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. C 2. B Exploring the archives: Today's "tenuous," meaning weak and flimsy, might remind you of a couple of our previous words:  Tenable (strong, defensible) and tenacious (holding on tight) both come from Latin tenere, meaning "to hold, to keep." But tenuous, today's word, comes from Latin tenuis, meaning "thin, slim, or slender." So it's actually the complete opposite of tenable! How can you keep them straight? Since the roots look so confusingly similar, I recommend focusing on the letter "a" in tenable and tenacious. Those are beefy, strong, Grade-A words. And with the "u" in tenuous, it's a flimsy word that might slide right down toward the very end of the alphabet.