not much stronger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not much stronger" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the strength or intensity of two things, indicating that one is only slightly stronger than the other. Example: "The new material is not much stronger than the previous version, which raises concerns about its durability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

In 1985 the radical Israeli left was not much stronger than it is now.

The Guardian - Opinion

At the moment, it's probably best considered not much stronger than informed speculation, but it certainly not unreasonable as a hypothesis or improbable.

The Guardian

With Matthew Pinsent, Redgrave formed a relationship that was not much stronger on conversation but contained a greater degree of warmth.

The Guardian - Sport

Considering Ukraine's looming financial crisis, Mr Yanukovych's position is not much stronger than that of the Communist coup-plotters in the Soviet Union in 1991, who lost legitimacy and power in three days by inciting violence which the country rejected.What keeps Mr Yanukovych in power is the lack of a clear opposition leader.

The Economist

The economic basis for agility in Russia's current foreign policy is not much stronger these days than it was 100 years ago, before the Russian Revolution, and the concentration of wealth in a closed circle of the privileged few is similar.

The New York Times

The hope for an enduring peace is not much stronger in Israel.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The solubility seems to be inversely proportion to the molecular size of the penetrant when there is not much strong polymer penetrant interaction.

Polymer

But the question was not so much stronger regulation or not stronger regulation.

The Washington Post

(The good news is that your hands haven't become freakishly large; the bad news is that you're not suddenly much stronger).

The New York Times - Food

Demand has not been much stronger in western Europe.

The Economist

But in this country, where children are bombarded with much more food advertising, many health experts say the response has not been much stronger.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not much stronger", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared. Providing specific details about the attributes being compared helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "not much stronger" when there is a considerable difference in strength. Overstating the subtle difference will mislead the reader and weaken the overall impact of your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not much stronger" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It typically modifies a noun, indicating that one thing possesses a slightly greater degree of strength than another. As Ludwig AI explains, this construction is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not much stronger" is a grammatically correct and usable comparative adjective phrase that indicates a slight or marginal difference in strength. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While relatively uncommon, it appears primarily in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in what is being compared and avoid overstating the degree of difference. Alternatives like "only marginally stronger" or "slightly more powerful" can offer similar nuances. Be mindful of the context to choose the most appropriate and precise wording.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only marginally stronger

Emphasizes the small degree of difference in strength.

slightly more powerful

Focuses on power as the differentiating factor, with a minor increment.

a tad stronger

Uses informal language to convey a minimal increase in strength.

barely stronger

Highlights the minimal nature of the increased strength.

not significantly stronger

Indicates the increment is not big enough to be important.

just a little stronger

Uses more common words to describe the slightly bigger strength.

somewhat more robust

Replaces strength with robustness, implying a slight enhancement in durability.

minimally stronger

Underlines the small measure of increased strength.

hardly any stronger

Indicates that practically there is no difference in strength.

inconsequentially stronger

Underlines the irrelevance of the increased strength.

FAQs

How can I use "not much stronger" in a sentence?

You can use "not much stronger" to compare the strength or intensity of two things, indicating one is only slightly stronger than the other. For example: "The updated engine is "only marginally stronger" than the previous model".

What are some alternatives to "not much stronger"?

Alternatives include "slightly more powerful", "a tad stronger", or "barely stronger" depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "not much stronger" in formal writing?

Yes, "not much stronger" is suitable for formal writing. However, consider using more precise language if the specific degree of difference is important. You can consider "not significantly stronger" or "somewhat more robust" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "not much stronger" and "much stronger"?

"Not much stronger" indicates a minimal difference in strength, whereas "much stronger" implies a significant and noticeable difference. The phrase "not much stronger" is used when the difference is small.