as weak as possible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as weak as possible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the degree of weakness in a particular context, such as in a physical, emotional, or metaphorical sense. Example: "In order to minimize the impact of the storm, we need to build the structure to be as weak as possible, allowing it to flex and absorb the force."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

The banking industry lobbies hard for the rules to be as weak as possible.

The New York Times

Now that's bold thinking – assuming your goal is to keep the economy as weak as possible until Election Day 2012.

The New York Times

The Israeli desire to make the Palestinian state as weak as possible seems to me to be counterproductive.

The Economist

The Bank of Japan has sold trillions of yen to buy dollars because the government wants to keep the yen as weak as possible against the dollar.

The New York Times

Now they know a second round is going to happen, but their goal is to make it as weak as possible".

The New York Times

Along the way, the administration engaged in what Senator Boxer has aptly called a "master plan" to ensure that the E.P.A.'s response to the Supreme Court's decision would be as weak as possible.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Out of the remaining 54 singletons, 42 have to be regarded as "weak" (possible) and 12 as "strong" (definitive) singletons, of which 5 are functionally annotated (Table 4).

BMC Genomics

The intervention is aimed at keeping Japan's export business competitive abroad by maintaining as weak a yen as possible against the dollar and other currencies.

The New York Times

Conservative in outlook and desperate to safeguard their own traditions in difficult circumstances, the French universities are impatient to winnow out the weak students as quickly as possible, the sooner to get on with the business of being proper universities.

The Economist

Although this ruse of leading your weakest suit as early as possible is well known, it continues to work.

The New York Times

Right now, Tim Geithner is leading the charge to make sure the regulators are as weak and banker-friendly as possible -- as usual.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for minimal impact or resistance in design or strategy, use "as weak as possible" to define a goal of reducing force or effect.

Common error

Avoid using "as weak as possible" in highly formal or professional documents where more precise language may be required. Consider alternatives like "minimized" or "optimized for minimal impact" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as weak as possible" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, specifying the extent to which an action or state should be weak. It's used to express the desired degree of weakness in a certain context, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

24%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as weak as possible" is a grammatically correct phrase used to advocate for minimizing the strength or impact of something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. While versatile, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in professional writing where precision is paramount. Related phrases like "as feeble as can be" and "with minimal force applied" offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone and context. When using "as weak as possible", it's important to consider the target audience and the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as feeble as can be

Emphasizes extreme lack of strength, adding a sense of limitation or frailty. It is more informal.

as fragile as achievable

Highlights the delicate nature and ease of being broken or damaged.

as unsubstantial as attainable

Focuses on the lack of substance or importance, suitable for abstract contexts.

with minimal force applied

Describes the action causing the weakness, appropriate when detailing a process.

the least powerful option

Indicates choosing the option that has the minimum impact, emphasizing decision-making.

kept to a bare minimum

Highlights efforts to control or restrict something to the smallest extent.

reduced to its lowest terms

Implies simplification or diminishing something to its essential elements, applicable in technical contexts.

optimized for least impact

Focuses on a design or strategy that minimizes effects, suitable for engineering or planning.

designed for minimal resistance

Emphasizes the reduction of opposition or friction, often used in scientific or technical discussions.

as non-existent as practicable

Focuses on making something virtually disappear or have no effect, often used in a bureaucratic or legal context.

FAQs

How can I use "as weak as possible" in a sentence?

You can use "as weak as possible" to describe the desired state of something when you want to minimize its impact or strength. For instance, "The regulations were designed to be "as weak as possible" to avoid stifling economic growth."

What are some alternatives to "as weak as possible"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "as weak as possible" could include "as feeble as can be", "with minimal force applied", or "the least powerful option".

Is "as weak as possible" too informal for professional writing?

While generally acceptable, "as weak as possible" might be perceived as too informal in certain professional contexts. In such cases, consider using more formal alternatives like "minimized" or "optimized for least impact".

What's the difference between "as weak as possible" and "as minimal as possible"?

"As weak as possible" refers specifically to a lack of strength or power, while "as minimal as possible" focuses on reducing the quantity or degree of something. They are interchangeable in contexts where reducing strength also implies reducing the degree of something.