a less weak

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a less weak" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the strength or effectiveness of something, indicating that it is not as weak as another option. Example: "After the training, I feel a less weak version of myself, ready to tackle new challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But its members fear being bullied if picked off one by one.That ASEAN enables them to try to negotiate from a less weak position is an achievement for the organisation.

The Economist

That makes it tempting to offer sneak peeks of the most flattering ones, as Brazil's president, Dilma Rousseff, did recently when she told El País, a Spanish newspaper, that a forthcoming statistical revision would raise economic growth in 2012 from 0.9% to a less weak 1.5%.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A less weak-minded adversary would rationally assume that ONETIMEPAD was the plaintext, and that we had sent our message unencrypted.

TechCrunch

Ali scored hurtful blows on Frazier, swelling the former champion's eyes and blasting him with hard rights to the head in the 14th round that might have impaired – or killed -- a less fit, weaker foe.

Los Angeles Times

This unit appears to be a less deformed region (weaker anisotropy) surrounded by faults, and the faster velocities can be related to the granitic composition of this block.

Earth, Planets and Space

Others have taken this as an indication of a less experienced and weaker workshop painter, but Borchert draws a similarity to two works accepted as van Eyck originals.

Wikipedia

The latter group therefore holds a less strict, or "weaker", definition of emergentism, which can be rigorously stated as follows: a property P of composite object O is emergent if it is metaphysically impossible for another object to lack property P if that object is composed of parts with intrinsic properties identical to those in O and has those parts in an identical configuration.

Wikipedia

A weak recommendation indicated a less clear trade-off or weaker evidence; the phrase "We suggest…" was then used.

Annals of Intensive Care

A weak recommendation indicated a less clear trade-off or weaker evidence; the phrase " We suggest…" was then used.

Annals of Intensive Care

There's nowhere else in the Solar System that appears to have the geological and geophysical conditions required to get anywhere close – nowhere with the right combination of crustal strength and buoyance above a less dense mantle, a weak enough gravitational field, an insignificant or non-existent persistent mantle plume system, nor the right type of lava (not too fluid, not too sticky).

Forbes

Another theory is that the efforts of MSM to develop a muscular body are to counteract memories of having a less athletic, or even weak or feminine, appearance during their childhood and adolescence.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a less weak" to subtly highlight an improvement without necessarily implying great strength. It's effective when conveying a marginal or relative increase in fortitude.

Common error

Avoid stacking additional negatives with "a less weak". For instance, "not a less weak" is confusing; instead, opt for a positive phrasing like "stronger" or "more resilient".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a less weak" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It describes a noun by indicating a relative degree of strength, suggesting something is not as weak as it once was. It essentially serves to express a positive attribute by negating a negative one, albeit in a somewhat indirect way.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a less weak" is a grammatically correct but somewhat uncommon way to describe something that has improved in strength. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is valid for use in written English. It functions as an adjective phrase, conveying a subtle enhancement rather than complete strength. You'll most likely encounter it in News & Media or Scientific contexts. While grammatically sound, consider alternatives like "somewhat stronger" or "slightly more robust" for clearer communication. Avoid using additional negatives, as this can create confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat stronger

Replaces "less weak" with a direct indication of increased strength.

marginally stronger

Indicates a slightly more significant increase in strength.

slightly more robust

Substitutes "strong" with "robust", implying resilience.

not as vulnerable

Shifts focus from strength to reduced vulnerability.

a touch more resilient

Replaces "strong" with "resilient", indicating the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.

improved in strength

Highlights the aspect of strength being improved.

somewhat fortified

Uses "fortified" to emphasize strengthening or reinforcement.

a bit more sturdy

Replaces "strong" with "sturdy", suggesting firmness and solidity.

not quite so fragile

Focuses on the reduction of fragility rather than an increase in strength.

slightly less fragile

Shifts focus from strength to a reduction in fragility.

FAQs

How can I use "a less weak" in a sentence?

You can use "a less weak" to describe something that has improved in strength, though not necessarily significantly. For example, "After the update, the system showed "a less weak" performance than before".

What's a more common alternative to "a less weak"?

Common alternatives include "somewhat stronger", "slightly more robust", or simply "stronger", depending on the context and the degree of improvement you want to emphasize.

Is "a less weak" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a less weak" is grammatically correct, although it's an unusual phrasing. It's a double negative that functions to express a positive, indicating something is not as weak as it was.

When is it appropriate to use "a less weak" instead of "stronger"?

Use "a less weak" when you want to convey a subtle improvement in strength or resilience without implying a major transformation. It's suitable when the change is noticeable but not drastic, a situation where calling something "stronger" would be an overstatement.