a slightly weak

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slightly weak" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not very strong or effective, often in a comparative sense. Example: "The team's performance was a slightly weak showing compared to their previous matches."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

By contrast the ECB's own summer hit-about sounds less like a global sporting juggernaut, more like a slightly weak expression of exasperation.

The Guardian - Sport

The weak showing property is a slightly weak version of the orbital shadowing property.

Advances in Difference Equations

Sound is a slightly weak point; nobody expects much out of these cameras, but is it really so much to ask to have a decent mic or two?

TechCrunch

Also there appears to be strong interdependence among Gifu, Seino, Chuno, and Tono areas in Gifu Prefecture, though the Hida area seems to have a slightly weak relation to them.

Journal of Economic Structures

Although a gradually increasing mode size can be observed due to a slightly weak mode confinement, its modal loss can be mitigated at the same time, resulting in extended propagation distances.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Substitutions at position 144 were perfectly discriminated with the oligonucleotides designed in the microarray with a slightly weak signal with the S139 probe.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

That would indicate a slightly weaker performance by stocks.

The New York Times

"I would say they have a slightly weaker driver line-up than in the last three years.

The Guardian - Sport

A slightly weaker yen is also helping Japanese exporters like Sony.

The New York Times

A general version with a slightly weaker conclusion is also proved.

Journal of Functional Analysis

This Little Ice Age was a natural event triggered probably by volcanoes going off and a slightly weaker sun".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a slightly weak", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being compared. For instance, specify what the subject is weaker than or in relation to for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a slightly weak" when the weakness is more significant. If the subject is considerably weak, opt for phrases like "noticeably weak" or "considerably weaker" to accurately reflect the extent of the deficiency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly weak" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase, describing a noun with a small degree of weakness. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

14%

Wiki

14%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a slightly weak" is grammatically correct and serves to describe something with a minor degree of deficiency. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity. While relatively uncommon, it finds use across various contexts, especially in science and news, indicating a degree of professional versatility. When using this phrase, ensure that the comparison is clear and the degree of weakness is accurately represented. Alternatives like "a somewhat weak" or "a little weak" offer similar meanings with subtly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a somewhat weak

Indicates a similar level of reduced strength but uses a different adverb.

a marginally weak

Suggests an even smaller degree of weakness.

a little weak

A more common and direct way to express a small degree of weakness.

a barely weak

Emphasizes the weakness is only just noticeable.

a minimally weak

Implies the weakness is at the lowest possible level.

a subtly weak

Highlights that the weakness is not immediately apparent.

a faintly weak

Suggests a very delicate or indistinct weakness.

a negligibly weak

Implies the weakness is so small it's almost not worth considering.

a tad weak

Uses a more informal expression to convey a small degree of weakness.

a touch weak

Similar to 'a tad weak', indicating a small amount of weakness.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slightly weak" to describe something that has a minimal deficiency compared to something else. For example, "The signal was "a slightly weak signal" compared to the previous transmission".

What are some alternatives to saying "a slightly weak"?

Alternatives include "a somewhat weak", "a marginally weak", or "a little weak", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it better to say "a slightly weak" or "a somewhat weak"?

Both "a slightly weak" and "a somewhat weak" are grammatically correct. "Slightly" indicates a lesser degree compared to "somewhat", so choose based on the context and the level of weakness you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a slightly weak" and "a barely weak"?

"A slightly weak" indicates a small degree of weakness, while "a barely weak" emphasizes that the weakness is only just noticeable or almost non-existent. The former suggests a minor deficiency, while the latter highlights the threshold of weakness.