a very weak

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very weak" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that lacks strength, effectiveness, or intensity in various contexts, such as arguments, performances, or physical attributes. Example: "The team's performance was a very weak display of their usual capabilities, leading to a disappointing loss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They have a very weak society".

The New Yorker

That's a very weak response".

The New York Times

It's a very weak summer".

The New York Times

"It's a very weak picture".

The New York Times

So they're a very weak thing.

Yale University

"I'm a very weak referee," he said.

The New York Times

or a very weak chemical interaction.

Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects

In 2002 France still had a very weak broadband market.

Harvard University

This created a potent navy but a very weak army.

University of California, Berkeley

Consistency is a very weak logical criterion; but it's evocative.

Yale University

If nothing else this could produce a very weak mandate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the severity of a condition or situation, use "a very weak" to emphasize a significant deficiency without resorting to overly dramatic language.

Common error

Avoid using "a very weak" when a more nuanced description is appropriate. Overusing intensifiers can undermine the credibility of your writing. In certain contexts, words like "fragile", "limited", or "tenuous" may provide a more precise and impactful description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very weak" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its lack of strength or effectiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in English, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a very weak" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a significant lack of strength or effectiveness. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science. While versatile, careful consideration should be given to the specific context to ensure the level of weakness is appropriately conveyed. In some instances, alternatives such as "quite feeble" or "extremely frail" might provide a more precise description, especially in formal or scientific writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a quite feeble

Replaces "very" with "quite", suggesting a slightly lesser degree of weakness.

a decidedly weak

Uses "decidedly" to emphasize the weakness, adding a sense of certainty.

an extremely frail

Substitutes "weak" with "frail", implying a more delicate or fragile state.

a significantly weak

Replaces very with significantly, underlining the importance of the weakness.

a remarkably weak

Uses remarkably emphasizing how unexpected the weakness is.

a noticeably weak

Uses noticeably emphasizing how evident the weakness is.

a largely ineffective

Replaces "weak" with "ineffective", focusing on the lack of ability to produce a desired result.

a severely deficient

Substitutes "weak" with "deficient", indicating a significant lack or shortage.

a pathetically inadequate

Replaces "weak" with "inadequate" and "pathetically" emphasizing that something does not fulfill a requirement or standard, and it inspires pity.

a glaringly insufficient

Replaces "weak" with "insufficient" and "glaringly" suggesting that something does not fulfill a requirement or standard, and it is impossible to pass unnoticed.

FAQs

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

You can use "a very weak" to describe something lacking strength or effectiveness, such as "The argument presented was "a very weak argument"" or "The economy showed "a very weak recovery"".

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

Alternatives include "quite feeble", "extremely frail", or "largely ineffective", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "a very weak signal" or "a weak signal"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "a very weak signal" emphasizes the intensity of the weakness more than simply "a weak signal". The choice depends on the level of emphasis you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a very weak" and "a somewhat weak"?

"A very weak" indicates a significant deficiency, while "a somewhat weak" suggests a milder degree of weakness. The choice depends on the severity you intend to communicate.