even if weak

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "even if weak" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a condition or situation that remains valid or applicable despite a perceived lack of strength or effectiveness. Example: "The argument holds merit, even if weak, and deserves consideration in the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Manufacturing data in China was ahead of expectations, even if weak, and later in the day it appeared that the US economy would ride to Europe's rescue, with data on its manufacturing sector also positive, amid separate signs of growth in US construction spending.

The Guardian - Business

The lack of any action illustrated the gulf between those at the central bank who expect a recovery, even if weak, by the euro zone economy — which has been shrinking for a year and a half — and economists and central bankers elsewhere who fear that the euro zone is sinking ever deeper into stagnation.

The New York Times

Note that an informative (even if weak) prior model is introduced only at node 3, and not at the previous nodes.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

For example, inter-continental migration, even if weak, has probably occurred, and neglecting this parameter in demographic inference may bias the estimation of other parameters (e.g. migration can diminish the signal of a bottleneck, see discussion of this point in the Results section).

Plosone

This suggests the possibility of a functional association of this protein with CASS, at least in some archaea, and provides the only putative (even if weak – until other archaeal genomes with such a gene arrangement are found) link between CASS and the eukaryotic RISCs at the level of homologous proteins.

Biology Direct

Finally, the intron invasion in the unicellular Micromonas goes against "simple population-genetic principles" stating that the selective disadvantage of intron-containing alleles, even if weak, would be a barrier to the proliferation of introns in organisms with a huge population size (Lynch 2002).

Genome Biology and Evolution

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But in fact his text portrayed a world with America still on top, even if weaker than before.

The New York Times - Books

Note that we believe some Sim1 expression, even if weaker, also obtains there; in fact, initially, Brn2 expression is restricted to the VPa (Goshu et al. 2004; their Fig. 4c), but extends dorsally into CPa at E13.5 (see Allen Developing Mouse Brain Atlas).

Brain Structure and Function

In contrast, amide III that was investigated in our study, at spectral region (1350 1200 cm−1), even if relatively weak in signals, does not have the above limitations.

Nature

The level of e-GST in all patients before the diet was high and corresponded to the one found previously in other CKD stage IV patients.15,16,41 This finding confirms a persistent blood toxicity status during the LPD even if a weak renal function improvement was achieved.

Nature

Note that even if the weak bound is maintained, it can be shown that there exist infeasible firing configurations.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even if weak" to acknowledge a potential shortcoming without dismissing the overall validity or importance of a statement. It's useful for nuanced arguments.

Common error

Avoid using "even if weak" excessively in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or hesitant. Opt for simpler phrasing when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even if weak" functions as a concessive conjunction, introducing a clause that presents a condition or situation that does not negate the main clause's assertion. Ludwig confirms this pattern, showcasing usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "even if weak" functions as a concessive conjunction, used to acknowledge a limitation while affirming the main point. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. While "even if weak" adds nuance to writing, it's advisable to avoid overuse in informal settings to maintain a natural tone. When aiming for alternatives, consider phrases like "although feeble" or "despite being frail" to achieve similar effects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even though not strong

Replaces 'if' with 'though', and 'weak' with 'not strong', maintaining the original meaning.

although feeble

Replaces "even if weak" with a direct synonym, focusing on the state of being feeble.

despite being frail

Uses "despite" as a conjunction and "frail" as a synonym for weak, emphasizing vulnerability.

albeit not forceful

Uses "albeit" to introduce a qualification, replacing 'weak' with 'not forceful'.

though somewhat fragile

Uses "though" to introduce a qualification, replacing 'weak' with 'fragile'.

while somewhat undermined

Expresses a condition where something is weakened or compromised to some extent.

in spite of its frailty

Replaces 'even if' with 'in spite of' and substitutes 'weak' with 'frailty'.

notwithstanding its feebleness

Formal alternative using 'notwithstanding' to introduce the concession and 'feebleness' as a noun.

even given its deficiency

Substitutes 'weak' with 'deficiency', denoting a lack or inadequacy.

even with limitations

Generalizes the concept of weakness to 'limitations', broadening the applicability.

FAQs

How can I use "even if weak" in a sentence?

Use "even if weak" to concede a point while still maintaining your main argument. For example: "The evidence is compelling, "even if weak", and warrants further investigation."

What are some alternatives to "even if weak"?

You can use alternatives such as "although feeble", "despite being frail", or "even though not strong" depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to use "even if weak" when acknowledging a potential weakness?

No, using ""even if weak"" is not always necessary. Simpler phrases like "although" or "though" can often suffice, especially in informal contexts.

What's the difference between "even if weak" and "even though weak"?

The phrases ""even if weak"" and "even though weak" are largely interchangeable. Both are used to introduce a concession or contrast. The choice between them often comes down to stylistic preference.