less weak

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less weak" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the strength or effectiveness of something, indicating that it is not as weak as another option. Example: "The new product is less weak than its predecessor, making it more reliable for consumers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

But if you are trying to train your mind and body to be less weak, then just being stubborn can get you far.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

With inflation subdued and the rupee less weak than usual, Indian interest rates and yields on government bonds fell for years; ie, prices rose.

The Economist

Generally speaking, steeper yield curves that is, when long-term debt has a significantly higher interest rate than short-term debt are what you'd expect when an economy is getting stronger (or at least getting less weak).

The New Yorker

But its members fear being bullied if picked off one by one.That ASEAN enables them to try to negotiate from a less weak position is an achievement for the organisation.

The Economist

Generally speaking, steeper yield curves — that is, when long-term debt has a significantly higher interest rate than short-term debt — are what you'd expect when an economy is getting stronger (or at least getting less weak).

The New Yorker

Two of them said that some tax agencies in smaller cities had been telling companies to inflate their sales and profits to make local economic growth look less weak than it really was, while reassuring the companies that their actual tax bills would be left unchanged.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

A less weak-minded adversary would rationally assume that ONETIMEPAD was the plaintext, and that we had sent our message unencrypted.

TechCrunch

Thursday brought a bevy of economic reports which included data offering, at best, tepid signs of improvement as jobless claims weren't as bad as expected, the number homes entering foreclosure continue to fall, and manufacturing output in the mid-Atlantic became less-weak.

Forbes

You're saying it's somehow less confident, weak, whatever the imputation – I just don't think that's sensible.

The Guardian

No. What Texas shows is that a state offering cheap labor and, less important, weak regulation can attract jobs from other states.

The New York Times

They also found that MY mixed more than LMD in strong stratification and less in weak stratification.

Geoscience Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, consider whether a direct positive term like "stronger" or "more stable" might be more effective than the double negative "less weak". Use "less weak" when specifically comparing degrees of weakness.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "less weak" can sound awkward in formal writing. Opt for more direct and affirmative language unless you need to highlight a specific comparison of weaknesses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less weak" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to describe something that is not as weak as something else, indicating a relative difference in strength or effectiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

6.25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6.25%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less weak" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to indicate a reduction in weakness or a comparative lack of strength. As Ludwig AI points out, it's suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While it's a valid phrase, it's important to consider whether a more direct and positive term like "stronger" would be more effective, especially in formal writing. When clarity is paramount, affirmative language generally surpasses comparative negation. Overall, "less weak" serves as a useful tool when specifically comparing the degrees of weakness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as feeble

Focuses on the absence of extreme weakness, offering a gentler alternative.

slightly stronger

Emphasizes a marginal improvement in strength, suggesting it wasn't very weak to begin with.

somewhat strong

Indicates a moderate level of strength, directly contrasting the idea of weakness.

relatively robust

Highlights a level of sturdiness in comparison to something else.

comparatively resilient

Shifts the focus to resilience, implying an ability to recover from setbacks rather than pure strength.

moderately powerful

Suggests a medium level of power, being more direct and active than "less weak".

a bit firm

Is a less technical phrase that indicates firmness and solidity

somewhat sturdy

Highlights a level of ruggedness, although to a limited degree.

faintly vigorous

Is a more poetic way of communicating the same idea.

barely tough

Implies a very low level of resistance

FAQs

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

Use "less weak" to compare the relative weakness of two or more things, implying that one is not as weak as the other. For example, "This solution is "less weak" than the previous one, but it still needs improvement".

What are some alternatives to using "less weak"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "slightly stronger", "relatively robust", or "somewhat strong". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always better to use a positive term instead of "less weak"?

Not always. "Less weak" is useful when you specifically want to highlight the reduction of weakness rather than an absolute measure of strength. However, a positive term is often more direct and easier to understand.

What is the difference between "less weak" and "not weak"?

"Not weak" simply means that something isn't weak, while "less weak" implies a comparison. Something that is "less weak" might still be somewhat weak, but not as weak as something else.