Out of strength

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "out of strength" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is often used to mean that someone is too exhausted to do something, and often implies that mental or emotional fatigue is a factor. For example: "I had to quit my job as a teacher out of strength; the emotional toll was just too much."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"We were running out of strength".

The New Yorker

"I was out of strength because I couldn't eat.

The New York Times - Sports

We do not need to act out of charity; we need to act out of strength.

The New York Times

He does so not out of weakness but out of strength.

The New Yorker

Energy futures resumed last week's rally in early trading yesterday but ran out of strength and slumped at the close.

The New York Times

"Last year, I felt like I fell short at the end, I ran out of strength and energy," Gasol said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

However, out-of-plane strength of URM brick wall against lateral forces is quite low.

Construction and Building Materials

The main result is the ability of the technique to evaluate the out-of-plane strength of these laminates.

Composites Part B: Engineering

Therefore an experimental study is designed for improving the out-of-plane strength of URM brick walls.

Construction and Building Materials

These interaction equations provide good lower bounds for the out-of-plane strength of spatially trussed arches.

Journal of Constructional Steel Research

The influence of compressive in-plane loads and of the joint thickness on the macroscopic out-of-plane strength of the wall is also numerically investigated.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "out of strength", consider if a more specific term like "exhausted", "drained", or "depleted" would provide greater clarity. This can enhance the impact and precision of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "out of strength" when referring to a lack of physical power alone. The phrase often implies mental or emotional fatigue contributing to the inability to continue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of strength" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating a state of being depleted of energy or resources. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of the phrase. Examples show its use in describing physical and emotional exhaustion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

28%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "out of strength" is a commonly used prepositional phrase signifying a state of extreme exhaustion, encompassing both physical and emotional depletion. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific sources, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts. When writing, consider more specific alternatives for enhanced clarity and be mindful of its implication of combined physical and emotional fatigue. Ludwig examples demonstrate that the phrase conveys incapacitation because of fatigue and the communicative purpose is to explain why someone cannot continue an activity or fulfill a responsibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Completely exhausted

Focuses more directly on the state of being depleted of energy.

Devoid of energy

Emphasizes the absence of energy or vitality.

In a state of depletion

Highlights the condition of being used up or significantly reduced.

Lacking stamina

Specifies the absence of endurance or staying power.

Completely drained

Expresses the feeling of having all resources or energy taken away.

Inherent capability

Shifts the focus to acting from one's capabilities, not weakness.

Driven by capability

Highlights actions motivated by intrinsic power, contrasting external influence.

Acting from inherent power

Similar to 'Driven by capability', but emphasizes internal force.

Without any vigor

Underscores the absence of physical or mental energy and enthusiasm.

Bereft of power

Indicates a state of lacking influence or physical strength.

FAQs

How can I use "out of strength" in a sentence?

You can use "out of strength" to describe a state of extreme exhaustion where one is unable to continue, such as, "After running the marathon, I collapsed "out of strength"".

What are some alternatives to saying "out of strength"?

Some alternatives include /s/completely+exhausted, /s/devoid+of+energy, or /s/lacking+stamina. The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say someone is "out of strength" or "lacking strength"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "out of strength" implies a more complete depletion of resources, whereas "lacking strength" simply indicates a deficiency. Consider if there is an alternative in the end such as /s/deficient+of+strength.

What's the difference between saying someone is "out of strength" and "running on fumes"?

"Out of strength" suggests a complete lack of physical and/or emotional reserves, while "running on fumes" implies that someone is continuing despite having very little energy left. Both suggest a state of depletion but /s/running+on+fumes conveys a sense of continued effort despite low reserves.