pretty weak

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty weak" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that lacks strength, effectiveness, or impact, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "The team's performance in the last game was pretty weak, and they need to improve if they want to win the championship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They were pretty weak".

The New York Times - Sports

Obviously it's pretty weak".

The New York Times

The spoilers are pretty weak.

The New York Times

"The data is pretty weak.

The New York Times - Tech

Until recently, the dollar has been pretty weak.

The Economist

"It was pretty weak, I gotta say," she announced.

The New Yorker

The relationship here is slightly stronger, but still pretty weak.

The New York Times

But Mr Liddell-Grainger says: "That's a pretty weak excuse.

Independent

Not many did, and those who did sounded pretty weak.

The New Yorker

Toyota replacements were expensive and still sounded pretty weak.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We felt the French were pretty weak-kneed," Mr. Hansen said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pretty weak", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. It can describe physical weakness, a lack of persuasive power, or a general deficiency. Choose the alternative that best fits your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "pretty" as an intensifier. While acceptable in informal contexts, overuse can weaken your writing. Vary your language by using stronger, more precise adjectives to describe the weakness you're referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty weak" functions as a qualifying adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a lack of strength, effectiveness, or impact. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pretty weak" is a common and grammatically sound adjective phrase used to describe something lacking strength or effectiveness. While Ludwig confirms its general correctness, it's important to consider the context and register, as it leans towards the informal side. For more formal writing, stronger and more precise alternatives like "rather feeble" or "somewhat ineffective" might be more appropriate. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather feeble

Emphasizes a lack of physical strength or impact.

somewhat ineffective

Highlights the lack of desired results or outcomes.

fairly unconvincing

Focuses on the lack of persuasiveness or believability.

quite flimsy

Suggests a lack of solidity or substance.

slightly vulnerable

Indicates a state of being easily harmed or affected.

a bit frail

Emphasizes delicacy and susceptibility to damage.

not very robust

Focuses on the absence of sturdiness or resilience.

kind of poor

A more general term indicating substandard quality or performance.

plain inadequate

Highlights the insufficiency or unacceptability for a specific purpose.

decidedly deficient

Emphasizes a marked lack or shortage in a particular aspect.

FAQs

What does "pretty weak" mean?

"Pretty weak" means something is not strong, effective, or impactful. It suggests a noticeable lack of power or quality.

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

You can use "pretty weak" to describe various things, such as: 'The team's defense was pretty weak', or 'His excuse for being late was pretty weak'.

Which is a better alternative to the phrase "pretty weak"?

Alternatives to "pretty weak" include "rather feeble", "somewhat ineffective", or "fairly unconvincing", depending on the specific context.

Is "pretty weak" formal or informal?

"Pretty weak" is generally considered informal. In more formal writing, consider using more precise and stronger adjectives to convey the same meaning.