be much less robust

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be much less robust" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is significantly weaker or less effective than another thing. Example: "The new software update may be much less robust than the previous version, leading to potential issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Their efficacy appears to be much less robust in long-standing disease.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Interestingly, ILD-based grouping can be much less robust when there are multiple interfering sounds.

Attention, Perception & Psychophysics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The frozen embryos at fertility centers are much less robust, medical experts say.

The New York Times

The District lost points because its education data system is much less robust than those in Tennessee and Delaware.

The Washington Post

In finance, the link between effort and profit is much less robust than in dentistry or manufacturing.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The economy was much less robust and diversified, so there really wasn't anything else to do".

The New York Times

The language is much less robust than that advocated by Tim Loughton, the sacked children's minister, who demanded strong wording in favour of shared parenting after divorce.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Momentum is much less robust now than it was then, and therefore we are much more vulnerable to fiscal shocks now".

The New York Times

One positive thing in Bernanke's speech — I'm trying to look on the bright side — is that for what seems to me the first time he has more or less acknowledged that we are not, in any real sense, experiencing a recovery: Notwithstanding these more positive developments, however, it is clear that the recovery from the crisis has been much less robust than we had hoped.

The New York Times

The phase normalisation obviously is much less robust.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

The rationale for targeted early interventions then is much less robust than it might appear.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be much less robust", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being compared and why the subject is less robust. Providing specific reasons or examples will enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "be much less robust" without specifying what the subject is less robust than. A vague comparison weakens the statement and reduces its effectiveness. Always provide a clear reference point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be much less robust" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It indicates that something possesses a significantly lower degree of robustness compared to something else, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be much less robust" is a comparative expression used to indicate a significant reduction in strength, stability, or effectiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, though more prevalent in scientific and news-related domains. While its usage is relatively rare, clarity is crucial: always specify what the subject is less robust than to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "be considerably weaker" or "exhibit decreased stability" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be considerably weaker

Changes "much less robust" to a simpler and more direct expression of reduced strength.

be significantly less strong

Substitutes "robust" with "strong" and emphasizes the reduction using "significantly".

lack the same resilience

Focuses on the absence of resilience instead of directly stating reduced robustness.

be notably more vulnerable

Shifts the focus to increased vulnerability as a consequence of reduced robustness.

exhibit decreased stability

Highlights the lack of stability compared to the original level of robustness.

be substantially less durable

Replaces "robust" with "durable", indicating a reduction in lasting quality.

offer reduced resistance

Emphasizes the decreased ability to withstand external forces or challenges.

be far from vigorous

Uses a more figurative expression to convey the lack of strength and robustness.

demonstrate limited fortitude

Focuses on the limited capacity for endurance and resilience.

be comparatively frail

Indicates a relative weakness compared to something else, implying reduced robustness.

FAQs

How can I use "be much less robust" in a sentence?

You can use "be much less robust" to compare the strength or effectiveness of something relative to another. For instance, "The updated security system "is much less robust" than the previous version, making it vulnerable to attacks."

What's a more formal alternative to "be much less robust"?

A more formal alternative could be "exhibit significantly diminished resilience". This phrase is suitable for academic or professional writing where a higher degree of formality is preferred.

What can I say instead of "be much less robust" to emphasize vulnerability?

To emphasize vulnerability, you could say "be notably more vulnerable". This phrasing shifts the focus from strength to susceptibility to harm.

Is it always negative to say something "is much less robust"?

Generally, saying something "is much less robust" implies a negative attribute, indicating a decrease in strength, stability, or effectiveness. However, the context may sometimes imply that the reduction in robustness is a trade-off for another desirable quality, such as increased flexibility.