a weaker than expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a weaker than expected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing results or outcomes that did not meet anticipated levels of strength or performance. Example: "The company's quarterly earnings report showed a weaker than expected performance, leading to a decline in stock prices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Apple reported first-quarter iPod sales that missed Wall Street's expectations and a weaker than expected outlook, sending its shares tumbling 11% after hours despite skyrocketing profits.

Forbes

The strength of Britain's high street sales appears to be waning after shops reported a weaker than expected September.

The Guardian - Business

Instead he cited high commodity prices, a weaker than expected banking system and the ongoing problems in the eurozone.

The Guardian

In a statement to the stock exchange, the company said: "In the run-up to the UK referendum during June, IAG experienced a weaker than expected trading environment.

The Guardian - Business

For ABF it was a weaker than expected performance from its sugar business which has left investors nervous, and Numis moved its recommendation from hold to sell.

The Guardian - Business

"In the short term, however, in the run-up to the UK referendum during June, IAG experienced a weaker than expected trading environment".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. businesses added 96,000 jobs to payrolls in September, the government reported on Friday, a weaker-than-expected total that was expected to sharpen a presidential debate later in the day over the economy's direction.

The New York Times

The dollar fell after a weaker-than-expected manufacturing report fed expectations that the economy will slow more than Europe's.

The New York Times

Industrial production came in at a weaker-than-expected 0.1percentt in September.

The New York Times

A weaker-than-expected reading in the Conference Board's consumer confidence index contributed to the selling.

The New York Times

A weaker-than-expected recession in the rest of Europe should help maintain the export surge.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a weaker than expected" in financial or business contexts, follow it with specific data points or metrics to quantify the shortfall. This provides concrete evidence to support the claim and adds credibility.

Common error

Avoid stating that "a weaker than expected" result will always lead to a specific outcome (e.g., stock decline). The actual impact depends on numerous factors. Instead, acknowledge the potential consequences while recognizing the complexity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a weaker than expected" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase, describing a noun (e.g., performance, result, showing) by indicating that it did not meet the anticipated level. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a weaker than expected" is a commonly used adjective phrase to describe results or outcomes that have fallen short of expectations. As Ludwig AI explains, it’s grammatically correct and frequently used in news and business contexts to express disappointment in performance. When using the phrase, quantifying the shortfall with data is a best practice to enhance credibility. Be mindful of overgeneralizing the impact of such results, as outcomes are often multifaceted. Alternatives like "below expectations" or "underperformed" can also be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

below expectations

A more concise way of saying something didn't meet the anticipated level.

poorer than expected outcomes

Swaps "weaker" for "poorer" and includes "outcomes" for emphasis of results.

less favorable than anticipated

Replaces "weaker" with "favorable" and restructures the sentence while retaining the original meaning.

a softer performance than anticipated

Replaces "weaker" with "softer", suggesting a less intense level of performance.

not as robust as foreseen

Substitutes "weaker" with "robust" and "expected" with "foreseen" to change wording, keeping the core meaning.

fell short of projections

Emphasizes the failure to reach a specific projected target.

disappointing compared to predictions

Highlights the disappointing nature of the result in relation to prior predictions.

a more modest showing than anticipated

Uses "modest showing" as a euphemism for weaker performance.

underperformed relative to forecasts

Focuses on the aspect of not meeting a specific forecast or prediction.

failed to meet the mark

An idiomatic way of saying something did not achieve the required standard.

FAQs

How can I use "a weaker than expected" in a sentence?

You can use "a weaker than expected" to describe an outcome that fell short of anticipated levels. For example, "The company reported "a weaker than expected" profit margin this quarter."

What are some alternatives to "a weaker than expected"?

Some alternatives include "below expectations", "underperformed", or "fell short of projections", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a weaker than expected"?

Yes, "a weaker than expected" is grammatically correct. It's commonly used to modify nouns like 'performance', 'result', or 'growth'.

What's the difference between "a weaker than expected" and "worse than expected"?

While similar, "a weaker than expected" often implies a deficiency in strength or performance, whereas "worse than expected" suggests a more negative or undesirable outcome overall. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.