fairly weak

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly weak" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is moderately lacking in strength, effectiveness, or intensity. Example: "The team's performance was fairly weak in the first half of the game, leading to a disappointing score."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the US the figures were also fairly weak.

The Guardian - Business

(And where it does exist it seems fairly weak).

The Guardian

Thus IBEH can realize snap-through even at fairly weak excitation.

Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing

Nate Diaz is a fairly weak welterweight compared to the top of the division.

The Guardian - Sport

I find that very unlikely as the gravitational pull of the moon is fairly weak.

The Guardian

This correlation was fairly weak, and it would be easy to dismiss it as a fluke.

The Guardian

"The economy remains fairly weak, and the labor market even weaker.

The New York Times

In contrast, General Yudhoyono has a new and fairly weak Democratic Party supporting him.

The New York Times

Even by Mr. Cavell's standards this is a fairly weak version of moral perfectionism.

The New York Times

Instead, the showers turned out to be fairly weak and peaked 14 hours earlier than expected.

The New York Times - Science

WFMU, Mr. Freedman explained, is a small, independent station with a fairly weak signal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing data or statistical correlations, use "fairly weak" to acknowledge a relationship without overstating its significance.

Common error

Avoid using "fairly weak" when the subject is, in fact, completely ineffective or absent. "Fairly weak" implies some level of functionality, however minimal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly weak" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun to indicate that it possesses a quality to a moderate degree. Ludwig AI confirms this with examples across various domains, emphasizing its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fairly weak" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express a moderate degree of weakness or ineffectiveness. Ludwig AI's analysis, supported by numerous examples from diverse and authoritative sources, demonstrates its widespread use across news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. While the phrase is considered neutral in tone, it’s important to ensure the degree of weakness aligns with the intended meaning and to avoid overstating or understating the actual condition. Alternatives such as "moderately feeble" or "somewhat fragile" can be considered for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not particularly strong

Uses a more verbose phrasing to express the same idea of a lack of strength.

moderately feeble

Replaces "weak" with "feeble" and "fairly" with "moderately", slightly altering the tone to emphasize a lack of strength.

kind of flimsy

Replaces "weak" with "flimsy", suggesting a lack of substance or solidity.

somewhat fragile

Substitutes "weak" with "fragile", indicating a delicate or easily damaged quality.

relatively ineffective

Replaces "weak" with "ineffective", focusing on the lack of desired outcome rather than inherent strength.

a bit unstable

Substitutes "weak" with "unstable", focusing on a lack of firmness or security.

rather unconvincing

Changes "weak" to "unconvincing", shifting the focus to a lack of persuasiveness or credibility.

slightly deficient

Replaces "weak" with "deficient", indicating a lack of something essential or necessary.

passably inadequate

Replaces "weak" with "inadequate", suggesting it barely meets the requirements.

reasonably poor

Substitutes "weak" with "poor" indicating a sub-par quality.

FAQs

How can I use "fairly weak" in a sentence?

You can use "fairly weak" to describe something lacking in strength or intensity. For example: "The evidence supporting the claim was fairly weak."

What can I say instead of "fairly weak"?

Alternatives include "moderately feeble", "somewhat fragile", or "relatively ineffective", depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "fairly weak" in formal writing?

Yes, "fairly weak" is acceptable in formal writing. It is a neutral and clear way to express a moderate degree of weakness.

What's the difference between "fairly weak" and "slightly weak"?

"Fairly weak" suggests a more noticeable degree of weakness than "slightly weak". "Fairly" implies a more moderate level, while "slightly" indicates a minor degree.