more weakly

USAGE SUMMARY

"more weakly" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is the comparative form of the adjective "weak" and is used to indicate that something is weaker in comparison to something else. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as describing physical strength, emotional states, or arguments. Example: The patient's condition was getting worse and her breaths became more weakly as the days passed.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Older business lines performed much more weakly.

The New York Times

Elettaria closes more weakly than it opens.

The New York Times - Food

But all this they do more weakly every day.

The New Yorker

Atoms have the advantage that they interact more weakly with their environment than ions, but they also interact more weakly with each other.

Nature

When they are in an unstressed position they are pronounced more weakly.

The Guardian - Travel

More precisely, we observed that the N-truncated rec PrP binds more weakly α-Syn fibrils.

Nature

Namely, it responds to sounds like this, but much more weakly to sounds like this.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Perfluorohexane proved to be an inert molecule that interacts with ethers more weakly than hexane.

Fluid Phase Equilibria

literally means "I spit on", but conveys, more weakly, "I don't give a toss", "too bad about......

The Guardian - Books

Low frequency unique features did not benefit from a nap despite being more weakly encoded than low frequency shared features.

Nature

." literally means "I spit on", but conveys, more weakly, "I don't give a toss", "too bad about.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more weakly" when you want to emphasize a comparative difference in strength, intensity, or effectiveness. For example, "The signal was received more weakly than expected."

Common error

Avoid using "more weakly" when describing something that is simply weak, not comparatively weaker than something else. Use "weak" or "feeble" instead of "more weakly" if there is no comparison being made.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more weakly" functions as an adverbial modifier, typically used to compare the degree to which an action is performed or a quality is exhibited. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more weakly" is a grammatically sound adverbial modifier used to compare the relative degree of weakness in an action or quality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used, particularly in scientific and journalistic writing, to describe differences in strength, intensity, or effectiveness. While "more weakly" is versatile, it should be reserved for comparative contexts, with alternatives like "less forcefully" or "to a lesser extent" considered for nuanced expressions. The authoritative sources and frequent usage patterns highlight its acceptance in formal and scientific registers, reinforcing its validity as a useful phrase in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less forcefully

Changes the focus to the application of force rather than the inherent weakness.

to a lesser extent

Indicates a reduced degree of something, suitable for broader contexts.

less intensely

Emphasizes a reduction in intensity or passion.

feebly

Implies a frail or ineffective manner, suitable for describing actions or states.

less effectively

Focuses on the reduced efficacy or success of an action.

more slightly

Highlights a small or subtle difference in degree.

somewhat weakly

Adds a degree of uncertainty or approximation to the weakness.

rather weakly

Expresses a moderate degree of weakness or lack of strength.

not as strongly

Emphasizes a comparison to a stronger state or action.

in a more subdued manner

Shifts the emphasis to the manner or style of an action, implying reduced energy.

FAQs

How can I use "more weakly" in a sentence?

Use "more weakly" to compare the relative strength or intensity of two things. For example, "The connection was established more weakly this time, resulting in a slower transfer speed."

What are some alternatives to using "more weakly"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "less forcefully", "to a lesser extent", or "less intensely" as alternatives to "more weakly".

Is there a difference between "more weakly" and "weakly"?

"Weakly" describes something that is generally weak. "More weakly" compares two things, indicating one is weaker than the other. For example, "He spoke weakly" versus "He spoke more weakly than usual".

When should I use "more weakly" instead of "weaker"?

Use "more weakly" to modify a verb or adverb, describing how an action is performed with less strength. Use "weaker" to describe a noun, indicating it is less strong. For example, "The signal was received more weakly" versus "The signal was weaker".