less than strong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than strong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not very strong or effective, often in a comparative sense. Example: "The team's performance was less than strong, leading to their defeat in the final match."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The data available suggest that many of the clinical considerations and decisions that we adopt rely on less than strong scientific evidence.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Strong circumferential membrane staining in <30% of tumor cells, or circumferential but less than strong staining in any proportion of tumor cells, is designated as equivocal (2+).

Breast Cancer Research

As the disabling symptoms in the initial stage after trauma are no longer present one year after trauma, a perceived recovery less than "strong improvement" in all likelihood reflects the effect of new onset or progressive OA.

European Radiology

BPA has been found to possess weak estrogenic properties in in vitro assays with an EC50 (median effective concentration) about 10,000 times less than strong estrogens such as 17β-estradiol (E2) and diethylstilbestrol (DES) (Kim et al. 2001; Kuiper et al. 1998; Perez et al. 1998).

Environmental Health Perspectives

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Often these products are capital-intensive, so labour costs are less important than strong intellectual property laws.

The Economist

Tramadol, a centrally acting weak opioid and monoaminergic inhibitor, has proven less effective than strong opioids in PHN pain, but may be better tolerated than strong opioids [ 34].

Drugs and Aging

Strong enhancers regulating distal genes were also enriched for trait-associated SNPs, albeit less so than strong enhancers which regulate proximal genes.

BMC Genomics

Charles Schumer has earned his MIDOTW award this week for drawing a line in the sand, and holding firm to his position: "anything less than a strong public option on day one is unacceptable".

Huffington Post

And very few pundits will suggest it has anything less than a strong software line-up.

The Guardian - Tech

Having bid up stocks recently, investors may find anything less than a strong recovery disappointing for their portfolios.

The New York Times

But Unite Against Fascism (UAF), which called the counter-demonstration joined by several anti-fascist and anarchist groups, claimed Pegida UK were "less than 100 strong".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less than strong", ensure the context clearly indicates what the comparison is being made to. For example, "The coffee was less than strong compared to my usual brew."

Common error

Avoid using "less than strong" to describe something that is inherently weak without a reference point. For instance, saying "The rope was less than strong" is vague. Instead, specify: "The rope was less than strong compared to the recommended load capacity."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than strong" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, indicating a degree of weakness relative to an implied or stated standard. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and offers examples showcasing its use in comparing strength, effectiveness, or intensity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less than strong" is a comparative phrase used to describe something that does not meet a certain expectation of strength, intensity, or power. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage, and examples across diverse sources like The Economist, The New York Times, and scientific publications demonstrate its versatility. While grammatically sound, it's best used when a clear comparison is intended. Alternatives like "weaker than expected" or "not as robust" can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context. When writing, ensure the comparison point is clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as robust

Replaces "strong" with "robust", focusing on a lack of resilience or vigor.

weaker than expected

Specifies that the strength is below a certain anticipation or standard.

not particularly potent

Substitutes "strong" with "potent", highlighting a lack of effectiveness or power.

somewhat feeble

Uses "feeble" to indicate a notable lack of strength, adding a nuance of inadequacy.

relatively mild

Employs "mild" to suggest a reduced degree of intensity or severity.

not very forceful

Replaces "strong" with "forceful", emphasizing a lack of impact or influence.

lacking intensity

Focuses on the absence of intensity, making it suitable for describing feelings or sensations.

not exceptionally powerful

Highlights a lack of exceptional power, implying a level of strength that is merely average or below.

comparatively fragile

Uses "fragile" to suggest a lack of durability or resilience, often implying vulnerability.

not impressively sturdy

Substitutes "strong" with "sturdy", highlighting a lack of robustness or solidness.

FAQs

How can I use "less than strong" in a sentence?

Use "less than strong" to compare the intensity or power of something to an expected or typical level. For example, "The support for the proposal was "less than strong", indicating a need for further advocacy."

What are some alternatives to "less than strong"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "weaker than expected", "not as robust", or "relatively mild".

Is it always appropriate to use "less than strong"?

While grammatically correct, "less than strong" is best used when making a comparison. If no comparison is implied, consider more direct alternatives such as "weak" or "feeble".

What's the difference between "less than strong" and "not strong"?

"Less than strong" implies a comparison or expectation that is not met, suggesting it is weaker than a certain standard. "Not strong" simply states that something lacks strength without direct comparison.