much weaker

USAGE SUMMARY

"much weaker" is correct and can be used in written English.
"Much weaker" is an adverb used to indicate a large difference in strength or intensity. For example, "The new version of the software is much weaker than the original."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Association with overall GC content is much weaker, R2 = 0.32.

BMC Genomics

But others are much weaker.

The Economist

It is much weaker".

The New York Times

"To me, that proposition is much weaker.

The New York Times

It was much weaker than expected.

The New York Times

The appropriateness test is much weaker.

The Guardian - Opinion

Elsewhere, the field is much weaker.

Nature

Today Iraqi forces are much weaker.

The Washington Post

Their intracellular connections were much weaker.

The New York Times - Health

"My memory became much weaker," he said.

The New York Times

Ultimately, however, he presented much weaker legislation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two or more entities, ensure the context clearly indicates what aspect is "much weaker". For example, instead of saying "The economy is much weaker", specify "The current economic recovery is much weaker than the previous one."

Common error

Avoid using "much weaker" without providing a specific point of comparison. Statements like "This is much weaker" lack clarity unless the audience knows what it's being compared to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much weaker" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "weaker". It indicates a significant difference in strength, intensity, or effectiveness compared to something else. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

42%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "much weaker" serves to emphasize a substantial deficiency in strength, effectiveness, or intensity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across diverse contexts, particularly in news and scientific domains. While versatile, it is important to provide a clear point of comparison to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases, such as "significantly less powerful" or "considerably less effective", can offer alternative ways to convey the same meaning. The key is to ensure clarity and context when employing this phrase to highlight a notable difference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly less powerful

Emphasizes a notable reduction in power.

considerably less effective

Focuses on the reduced effectiveness or impact.

substantially feebler

Highlights a significant decrease in strength or vigor.

appreciably less robust

Stresses a noticeable decline in resilience or durability.

markedly reduced strength

Emphasizes the observed decrease in strength.

noticeably impaired

Highlights a visible decline in function or ability.

somewhat deteriorated

Suggests a degree of decline or decay.

distinctly less potent

Focuses on the diminished potency or effectiveness.

far less vigorous

Highlights a significant reduction in energy or intensity.

measurably diminished

Emphasizes a quantifiable reduction in some attribute.

FAQs

How can I use "much weaker" in a sentence?

You can use "much weaker" to compare the relative strength, intensity, or effectiveness of two things. For example, "The new policy is "much weaker" than the previous one in terms of environmental protection".

What are some alternatives to saying "much weaker"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "significantly less powerful", "considerably less effective", or "substantially feebler".

Which is correct, "weaker" or "much weaker"?

"Weaker" implies a simple comparison, while "much weaker" emphasizes a significant difference in strength. Both are correct, but "much weaker" provides more emphasis.

What's the difference between "slightly weaker" and "much weaker"?

"Slightly weaker" suggests a small difference in strength, while "much weaker" indicates a considerable or significant difference. The choice depends on the magnitude of the difference you want to convey.