a very weak efficiency

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very weak efficiency" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used when discussing the effectiveness or performance of a system, process, or method that is notably low. Example: "The new software update resulted in a very weak efficiency, causing delays in our workflow."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Warshaw et al.'s study found a very weak efficiency of CSF analysis among elderly patients presenting with fever and delirium; the principal final diagnoses were pulmonary, urinary, and viral infections, dehydration, and metabolic causes.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Surprisingly, trastuzumab caused only a very weak delay in tumour growth, which is in sharp contrast to the excellent efficiency of Atc-mediated ERBB2 downregulation.

British Journal of Cancer

Factor A has a very weak affinity to the full promoter region, but when complexed with factor B binding efficiency is enhanced.

British Journal of Cancer

They have a very weak society".

The New Yorker

"It's a very weak picture".

The New York Times

That's a very weak response".

The New York Times

It's a very weak summer".

The New York Times

"It was a very weak structure with very thin walls.

The Guardian - Arts

If nothing else this could produce a very weak mandate.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It was a very weak case," he says.

The New Yorker

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

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the performance of a system or process, consider using more precise quantitative data alongside the phrase "a very weak efficiency" to provide a clearer understanding of the actual performance level.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on subjective terms like "very weak". Instead, supplement with objective metrics to give a more concrete sense of the efficiency level. For instance, provide percentage values or comparative data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very weak efficiency" functions as a descriptive phrase, specifically an adjective phrase modifying the noun "efficiency". It indicates a low level or degree of effectiveness. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a very weak efficiency" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something as having a low level of effectiveness. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, it's important to note its relatively infrequent usage. The phrase appears mainly in scientific and news contexts. For clarity, supplementing this subjective descriptor with objective data is recommended. Alternative phrasing can involve terms like "minimal effectiveness" or "poor effectiveness" for greater precision, depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimal effectiveness

Replaces "very weak" with "minimal", focusing on the low degree of effectiveness.

low effectiveness

Uses a more direct term, "low", instead of "very weak".

poor effectiveness

Substitutes "very weak" with "poor", suggesting a deficiency in effectiveness.

limited efficiency

Replaces "very weak" with "limited", indicating restricted efficiency.

marginal efficiency

Uses "marginal" to indicate that the efficiency is barely sufficient.

suboptimal efficiency

Indicates that the efficiency is below the optimal level.

deficient efficiency

Emphasizes the lack of efficiency.

ineffective efficiency

Highlights the lack of any positive effect.

barely adequate efficiency

Suggests the efficiency just meets the minimum requirements.

virtually nonexistent efficiency

Emphasizes that the efficiency is so low as to be practically absent.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "a very weak efficiency"?

Alternatives include "minimal effectiveness", "low effectiveness", or "poor effectiveness" depending on the specific context.

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

You might say, "The new engine design resulted in "a very weak efficiency", failing to meet performance expectations." Notice that you can also use alternatives such as "poor effectiveness".

Is "a very weak efficiency" too vague for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, it can be. Consider using more specific language or including quantitative data to provide a clearer picture of the efficiency level.

What's the difference between "a very weak efficiency" and "an inadequate efficiency"?

"An inadequate efficiency" implies the efficiency is insufficient for a specific purpose, whereas "a very weak efficiency" simply describes a low level of efficiency, without necessarily implying insufficiency. You can replace "a very weak efficiency" with "an inadequate efficiency", or with "poor effectiveness".