not very strong

USAGE SUMMARY

"not very strong" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is weak or lacking in strength or power. Example: The rope was not very strong, so it snapped easily under the weight of the heavy crate.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These arguments are not very strong.

The New York Times

"We're not very strong right now.

The New York Times - Sports

"That game, the U.S.A. was not very strong.

The New York Times - Sports

"Those were the markets where I was not very strong".

The New York Times

The results indicate that the interconnections among all the components are not very strong.

Energy and Buildings

Many of our competitors have disappeared or are not very strong.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It was also a time where our flood control policies were not very strong at all.

Yale University

The ancient Greeks advocated hoop rolling as a beneficial exercise for those not very strong.

Britannica

They certainly were not very strong, and his essentially secular temper subordinated religious to political considerations.

Britannica

So it's one of those things where, to me, the argument is not very strong".

The New York Times

He added, "It's just kind of sore and just not very strong right now".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not very strong", consider the specific context. Choose a more descriptive adjective if precision is needed. For example, instead of saying 'The argument is not very strong', specify 'The argument is weak and lacks sufficient evidence'.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "not very strong" without further elaboration. Vague qualifiers can weaken your writing. Provide concrete details to illustrate the lack of strength you're describing. Instead of "The team's defense was not very strong", say "The team's defense struggled with tackling and allowed too many easy shots".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very strong" functions as an adjective phrase used to modify a noun. It serves to qualify the degree of strength possessed by the noun, indicating that it is less potent than expected. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is grammatical and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

28%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not very strong" serves as a versatile adjective phrase that conveys a lack of power, intensity, or force. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently employed across diverse contexts, including news, scientific literature, and academic writing. While "not very strong" is suitable for many situations, using more descriptive adjectives may improve the precision of your writing. Related alternatives, such as "somewhat weak" and "relatively feeble", offer nuanced ways to express a similar sentiment. When using this phrase, be mindful of potential vagueness and provide concrete details to support your assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat weak

Implies a slight deficiency in strength, similar to "not very strong" but potentially indicating a lesser degree of weakness.

relatively feeble

Highlights the comparative lack of vigor or intensity, akin to "not very strong" with an emphasis on relative weakness.

moderately frail

Suggests a degree of delicacy or vulnerability, sharing the sense of insufficient strength with "not very strong".

not particularly robust

Emphasizes the absence of resilience or sturdiness, similar to "not very strong" but with a focus on durability.

a bit flimsy

Indicates a lack of solidity or substantiality, reflecting a form of weakness comparable to "not very strong".

rather unconvincing

Shifts the focus to a lack of persuasive power or credibility, presenting a weaker stance akin to something "not very strong".

somewhat unsubstantial

Highlights the lack of a firm basis or tangible presence, suggesting a weakness parallel to "not very strong".

not overly powerful

Focuses on the limited degree of might or force, akin to "not very strong" with emphasis on power.

kind of fragile

Emphasizes the ease with which something can be broken or damaged, similar to indicating something is "not very strong".

slightly inadequate

Indicates that something is not quite sufficient or up to par, implying a weakness analogous to "not very strong".

FAQs

How can I use "not very strong" in a sentence?

You can use "not very strong" to describe something lacking power, intensity, or force. For example: "The coffee was not very strong this morning", or "His argument was not very strong during the debate".

What are some alternatives to saying "not very strong"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "somewhat weak", "relatively feeble", or "moderately frail" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "not very strong"?

Yes, the phrase "not very strong" is grammatically correct and widely accepted in English. It is a common way to express that something lacks a significant degree of strength.

What's the difference between "not very strong" and "weak"?

While both indicate a lack of strength, "weak" is a more direct and absolute statement. "Not very strong" implies a lesser degree of weakness and can sometimes suggest a comparative lack of strength rather than a complete absence. "Somewhat weak" would be a closer synonym.