by weakness of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by weakness of" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts discussing the cause of a failure or deficiency, but it is better to use clearer expressions. Example: "The project failed by weakness of leadership and poor planning."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

He underwent repeat long exercise testing (McManis) and this showed significant decrement, accompanied by weakness of the exercised hand muscles.

Brain

A progressive bulbar and facial weakness was noted, followed by weakness of the right hand 4 months later.

Human Molecular Genetics

A so-called intermediate syndrome, which presents 24 96 h after exposure, has been identified and is characterized by weakness of the neck, proximal limb, and respiratory musculature.

BMC Genomics

Among our patients, mobility was limited mainly by muscle weakness at rest or after physical strain, or by weakness of the upper limbs or walking difficulties.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

The inherited distal myopathies are a group of genetically heterogeneous muscle disorders characterized by weakness of the distal muscles of the arms and legs.

Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology

The mutated OPTN gene could induce mutation of E50K and H486R genes, resulting in death of RGC-5 cells by weakness of antioxidation.

Clinical interventions in aging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Although diagnosis-based measures are inherently limited by weaknesses of administrative claims diagnostic data, including inaccuracy and incompleteness of discharge diagnoses, 33 the prescription claims have been shown to be fairly accurate and complete.

BMJ Open

He was most surprised by the weakness of sales by the usually stalwart foreign brands like Toyota and Honda.

The New York Times

I was also surprised, frankly, by the weakness of the case put on by the defenders of Prop.

The New Yorker

Only Spain, which has been seriously hurt by the euro zone crisis and by the weakness of many of its banks, has done as badly.

The New York Times

The problem is caused by the weakness of the human capital which is produced by the educational institution.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by weakness of", ensure the context clearly indicates that the weakness is the direct cause of the subsequent event or condition. Consider stronger, more direct alternatives for improved clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "by weakness of" when the weakness is merely a contributing factor rather than the primary cause. Overstating the causal relationship can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by weakness of" functions as a causal prepositional phrase, indicating that a specific weakness or deficiency is the cause or reason for something else. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase links a weakness to its consequences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by weakness of" serves to establish a cause-and-effect relationship, where a deficiency or frailty directly leads to a specific outcome. While grammatically acceptable, it's often advisable to consider more direct and stylistically stronger alternatives such as "due to the lack of" or "because of the deficiency of". As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase isn't always the most elegant choice, and clarity can often be improved with different phrasing. Usage is observed across varied contexts, including science, news media, and formal business, with a higher frequency in scientific contexts. When deploying "by weakness of", ensure that the weakness is indeed the primary cause, avoiding its use when it's merely a contributing factor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

due to the deficiency of

Replaces "weakness" with "deficiency", highlighting a lack or inadequacy as the cause.

because of the lack of

Emphasizes the absence of something as the reason for a particular outcome.

owing to the frailty of

Substitutes "weakness" with "frailty", suggesting a delicate or fragile state that leads to a result.

as a consequence of the failing of

Indicates that a failure or shortcoming is the reason for something happening.

resulting from the inadequacy of

Highlights the insufficient nature of something as the cause.

attributable to the vulnerability of

Focuses on the susceptibility to harm or damage as the underlying cause.

on account of the imperfection of

Suggests that a flaw or defect is the reason for an outcome.

stemming from the deficiency in

Posits that a lack or shortage is the origin of a particular result.

arising from the instability of

Indicates that a lack of stability or steadiness is the root cause.

caused by the feebleness of

Replaces "weakness" with "feebleness" highlighting a lack of strength or power.

FAQs

How can I rephrase a sentence that uses "by weakness of"?

You can substitute "by weakness of" with phrases like "due to the lack of", "because of the deficiency of", or "resulting from the inadequacy of" for clearer causation.

Is "by weakness of" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "by weakness of" can sound awkward or less precise than alternatives. It's grammatically sound but stylistically not always the best choice. Ludwig AI suggests that clearer expressions can often improve the sentence.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "by weakness of"?

"By weakness of" is appropriate when you want to emphasize that a specific weakness or deficiency is the direct cause of a particular outcome. However, ensure the context clearly supports this direct causal relationship.

What are some common synonyms for "weakness" in the phrase "by weakness of"?

Common synonyms include "deficiency", "frailty", "inadequacy", "vulnerability", "instability", and "feebleness". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.