feeble over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feeble over" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear when or how this phrase could be used due to its lack of clarity and grammatical structure. Example: "The argument presented was feeble over the main issue, failing to address the core concerns."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The government has been feeble over north Africa.

The Economist

But he is not much worse.Time for some VergangenheitsbewältigungAll the same, in contrast to its German-speaking big brother to the north, Austria has been notably feeble over the years in facing up to its past.

The Economist

The Southern African Development Community (SADC), another regional club of 15 countries, which has been so feeble over Zimbabwe, could learn a trick or two from ECOWAS.The club's Achilles heel is Nigeria, Africa's most populous country.

The Economist

Though that might be true, it's a pulse that has grown increasingly feeble over the years – which might explain the feeling shared by many in attendance that the party's best times are already behind us.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

They have feeble, over-sensitive palates.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This is a long way of saying that I may have been rude because I was in pain and wanted to lie down in a darkened room with a TENS machine and some feeble over-the-counter pills, because 10 years of big pills would have been a problem in itself.

The Guardian - Books

This phenomenon may be due to a feeble over-expression of the MtrCDE efflux induced by the A deletion in the mtrR promoter [ 5, 9, 42].

BMC Infectious Diseases

Kill, 52, is a reconstruction specialist, an expert in taking over feeble programs and turning them into something better.

The New York Times - Sports

The UK economy has grown by a feeble 0.2% over the last three quarters and the next two quarters may be even worse.

The Guardian - Opinion

She passed for a second in front of the feeble light over the entrance and landed on the sloping entrance of the underground parking garage.

The New Yorker

Still, if you think this is bad, you should hear the B-side: Mendelssohn's Wedding March played on a feeble synthesizer over a disco beat.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a weakness or lack of effectiveness, consider using more precise and grammatically standard phrases such as "weak regarding" or "ineffective concerning".

Common error

Avoid using "feeble over" as a catch-all phrase for various types of weaknesses. Instead, tailor your language to accurately reflect the specific deficiency you are describing. For example, use "ineffective in" when describing a strategy's failure to achieve its goals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feeble over" functions as a descriptive element, often attempting to modify a noun by indicating a weakness or ineffectiveness concerning that noun. As Ludwig AI notes, this construction is not always grammatically sound, and its usage is limited.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

13%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "feeble over" attempts to describe a weakness or lack of effectiveness, but is generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, it's better to use alternatives such as "weak regarding" or "ineffective concerning" for greater clarity and correctness. Its usage is rare, primarily found in news and media contexts. While authoritative sources like The Economist and The Guardian use it occasionally, opting for more standard phrasing is recommended for precise and formal writing. The examples provided by Ludwig underscore the ambiguous and often replaceable nature of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weak regarding

Emphasizes a lack of strength or effectiveness in relation to a specific area or aspect.

ineffective concerning

Highlights a lack of success or desired outcome in a particular situation or with respect to something.

lacking strength in

Focuses on the absence of power or vigor within a defined scope.

deficient in

Indicates a shortage or inadequacy in a particular quality or characteristic.

unconvincing about

Suggests a failure to persuade or inspire confidence regarding a certain subject.

fragile regarding

Implies vulnerability or instability concerning a specific matter.

powerless over

Denotes an absence of control or influence over a particular entity or event.

vulnerable in relation to

Emphasizes susceptibility to harm or negative impact when compared to something.

unsubstantial with respect to

Highlights a lack of solidity or importance in relation to a defined aspect.

insufficient concerning

Indicates a deficiency in quantity or quality with regard to a specific matter.

FAQs

How can I use "feeble" in a sentence?

Use "feeble" to describe something weak or ineffective, such as "The economy's recovery is still "feeble"" or "His excuse was "feeble" and unconvincing."

What are some alternatives to "feeble"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "weak", "frail", "ineffective", or "inadequate".

Is it correct to say "feeble in" instead of "feeble over"?

Yes, "feeble in" is generally more grammatically correct and widely accepted. For example, "The government was "feeble in" its response to the crisis."

When is it appropriate to use "feeble" in writing?

Use "feeble" when you want to describe a lack of strength, force, or effectiveness. It can apply to physical conditions (a feeble grip), intellectual arguments (a feeble excuse), or economic states (a feeble recovery).