is so weak that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is so weak that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or argument that lacks strength or effectiveness. Example: "The evidence presented in the case is so weak that it fails to convince the jury of the defendant's guilt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In some patients, the right ventricle is so weak that it eventually fails, too.

The Washington Post

The central government of Somalia is so weak that it does not control the country.

The New Yorker

The legal infrastructure is so weak that Mr Pencapligil is afraid to make any loans.

The Economist

His chest cavity is so weak that he cannot breathe if he lies on his stomach.

The New York Times

The economy is so weak that inflation has sagged to the lowest pace on record.

The New York Times

Martin's leg is so weak that it is at constant risk of a fracture.

The New York Times - Sports

The Democratic National Committee leadership is so weak that it may not be worth your time.

The Washington Post

Our national identity is so weak that it's easy to go into crisis mode".

The New York Times

In many cases, the crystallographic signal is so weak that it is difficult to detect at all.

Ultramicroscopy

The Rio Bravo is so weak that it dries up just short of the beach near Brownsville.

The Economist

But the support is so weak that we are very confident the voters will come back to our column".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "is so weak that", ensure that the consequence following "that" is a direct and logical result of the weakness being described. This maintains clarity and strengthens the connection between cause and effect.

Common error

Avoid using "is so weak that" in very basic sentences where the relationship is already obvious. Instead, opt for more concise and direct language to describe the weakness and its consequence for impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is so weak that" functions as an intensifier followed by a causal clause. It describes the degree of weakness of something and then introduces the consequence or result of that weakness, as exemplified in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is so weak that" is a versatile construction used to emphasize the inadequacy of something and its subsequent consequences. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the resulting consequence is a logical outcome of the described weakness for maximum clarity. Consider using alternatives, depending on context and nuance, to prevent overuse and maintain engaging writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is so flimsy that

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

is so puny that

Substitutes "weak" with "puny", emphasizing smallness and ineffectiveness.

is so frail that

Replaces "weak" with "frail", indicating delicacy and vulnerability to damage.

is so feeble that

Substitutes "weak" with "feeble", suggesting a lack of energy or power.

is so vulnerable that

Replaces "weak" with "vulnerable", highlighting susceptibility to harm or attack.

is so tenuous that

Replaces "weak" with "tenuous", indicating a lack of certainty or firmness.

is so inadequate that

Substitutes "weak" with "inadequate", stressing insufficiency for a particular purpose.

is so deficient that

Replaces "weak" with "deficient", emphasizing a lack of necessary qualities or elements.

is so lacking that

Substitutes "weak" with "lacking", highlighting the absence of something essential.

is so limited that

Replaces "weak" with "limited", focusing on restrictions and constraints.

FAQs

How can I use "is so weak that" in a sentence?

The phrase "is so weak that" is used to describe something lacking in strength or effectiveness, leading to a specific consequence. For example, "The evidence "is so weak that" the case was dismissed."

What are some alternatives to "is so weak that"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "is so "flimsy that"", "is so "feeble that"", or "is so "vulnerable that"" to convey a similar meaning.

How does "is so weak that" differ from "is too weak to"?

"Is so weak that" emphasizes the degree of weakness and its resulting consequence, while "is too weak to" focuses on the inability to perform a specific action. For instance, "The signal "is so weak that" it's undetectable" versus "The signal "is too weak to" be detected".

Is it better to use "is weak" or "is so weak that"?

While "is weak" simply states a lack of strength, "is so weak that" emphasizes the extent of the weakness and introduces a consequential outcome. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the degree of weakness and its direct impact.