quite weaker

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite weaker" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as "weaker" is a comparative form and should not be preceded by "quite." Example: "This new model is weaker than the previous one, but it is quite effective in other areas."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

These compounds showed quite weaker inhibitory effect than AChE.

Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"The leaders are quite weak.

The New York Times

"Hiring is still quite weak".

The New York Times

We look quite weak overall.

The Guardian - Sport

He described safeguards as "still quite weak".

The New York Times

That argument, however, is quite weak.

The New York Times

And once she did, she was quite weak and lethargic.

The New York Times

The bonds of sisterhood could be quite weak.

The New York Times - Books

"The recommendations are quite weak in a lot of areas.

The Guardian

'There is no backbone: they are quite weak as individuals.

The Guardian

Another party, more conservative, and quite weak is the United Tanganyika Party.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "quite" with comparative adjectives like "weaker". Instead, opt for adverbs like "significantly", "considerably", or "somewhat" to modify the adjective more accurately.

Common error

A common mistake is using "quite" before comparative adjectives, thinking it intensifies the comparison. However, "quite" usually means "to a certain extent" or "fairly", which doesn't logically fit with comparative forms. Replace it with a more suitable intensifier like "much", "far", or "significantly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite weaker" functions as an attempt to modify a comparative adjective. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically incorrect, as "quite" is not typically used to modify comparative adjectives effectively.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "quite weaker" might seem like a straightforward way to express a degree of reduced strength, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect. "Quite" is generally unsuitable for modifying comparative adjectives. Although examples exist across various sources, it's advisable to use alternatives such as "significantly weaker", "considerably weaker", or "somewhat weaker" for clarity and grammatical accuracy. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, authoritative sources tend to avoid this construction, making it a less preferable choice in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly weaker

Emphasizes a greater degree of weakness compared to "quite weaker".

considerably weaker

Similar to 'significantly weaker', indicating a noticeable degree of reduced strength.

noticeably weaker

Highlights the ease with which the weakness can be observed.

markedly weaker

Conveys a distinct and clear reduction in strength.

appreciably weaker

Suggests a more measurable or quantifiable reduction in strength.

measurably weaker

Focuses on the ability to quantify the reduction in strength.

somewhat weaker

Indicates a milder degree of weakness.

relatively weak

Positions the weakness in comparison to a standard or expectation.

comparatively weak

Similar to 'relatively weak', emphasizing the comparative aspect of the weakness.

slightly weaker

Implies a minimal difference in strength.

FAQs

Is "quite weaker" grammatically correct?

No, "quite weaker" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The word "quite" doesn't combine well with comparative adjectives like "weaker". It's better to use adverbs like "significantly weaker" or "somewhat weaker" instead.

What can I say instead of "quite weaker"?

You can use alternatives like "significantly weaker", "considerably weaker", or "noticeably weaker" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "quite weaker" or "somewhat weaker"?

"Somewhat weaker" is the correct choice. "Quite" doesn't typically modify comparative adjectives effectively. "Somewhat" provides a more accurate degree of comparison.

What's the difference between "quite weak" and "quite weaker"?

"Quite weak" is acceptable, meaning "fairly weak", whereas "quite weaker" is grammatically incorrect. "Quite" can modify a base adjective like "weak" but not a comparative adjective like "weaker". Use "somewhat weaker" or "significantly weaker" instead of "quite weaker".