slightly weak

USAGE SUMMARY

The term "slightly weak" is a grammatically correct and common phrase in English.
You can use it to describe something that is not as strong or powerful as it could be. For example, "The coffee was slightly weak but still had a pleasant flavor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Luca Canonici is an appealing but slightly weak tenor soloist.

The New York Times

"Their quality on the ball is unquestionable but they can be slightly weak defensively.

The Guardian - Sport

He knows the slightly weak point of every driver, and he files it away".

The New York Times - Magazine

By contrast the ECB's own summer hit-about sounds less like a global sporting juggernaut, more like a slightly weak expression of exasperation.

The Guardian - Sport

Against the noise is good when only one function is estimated; however, the present approach is slightly weak against the noise when both functions are identified.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

I'm a straight man, but I have to admit that one look at Chuka and I go slightly weak at the knees - it's like he's been lovingly crafted out of pure unicorn's tears by Christ himself or something.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Slightly weaker light, from left front.

Stanford University

That would indicate a slightly weaker performance by stocks.

The New York Times

Any number above 50 signals expansion, and economists had predicted slightly weaker growth at 53.3.

The Guardian - Business

At established Premier Inns, sales rose 2.1%, slightly weaker than the figure reported in March.

The Guardian - Business

But the accusing tone is slightly weaker than that of the North American news media.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something as "slightly weak", ensure the context clarifies the specific aspect of weakness. For example, "The signal was slightly weak, causing intermittent data loss."

Common error

Avoid using "slightly weak" when the subject is significantly deficient. Using a phrase like "considerably weak" or "substantially weak" may be more appropriate in cases with major deficiencies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly weak" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a minor degree of weakness. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is a grammatically correct and common phrase. Examples show it describing tenor voices, defensive capabilities, and even abstract concepts like evidence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

33%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly weak" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective phrase to indicate a minor degree of weakness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate in various contexts, ranging from describing a "slightly weak" tenor voice to a "slightly weak" economic indicator. While versatile, it's important to use it judiciously, ensuring the degree of weakness aligns with the context. Alternatives include "minimally weak" or "somewhat weak", offering nuanced options for expression. Predominantly featured in News & Media and Science contexts, its usage is widespread and understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimally weak

Indicates weakness to a minimal degree, emphasizing the small extent of the weakness.

quite weak

Suggests a noticeable but not extreme level of weakness.

pretty weak

An informal way to indicate weakness, suggesting it's somewhat weak.

just weak

Indicates weakness is only present to the amount specified, and is not getting worse.

hardly weak

Paradoxically suggests strength by implying the subject barely qualifies as weak.

partially weak

Highlights that the weakness only affects a portion of the whole.

noticeably weak

Focuses on the readily apparent nature of the weakness.

substantially weak

Emphasizes that the weakness is present to a considerable degree.

appreciably weak

Stresses that the weakness is noticeable or measurable.

slightly vulnerable

Shifts the focus to the susceptibility to harm or attack due to a small weakness.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly weak" to describe something that has a small degree of weakness. For instance, "The coffee was "slightly weak" this morning, but it was still enjoyable."

What are some alternatives to saying "slightly weak"?

Alternatives to "slightly weak" include "minimally weak", "somewhat weak", or "a bit weak". The best choice depends on the context.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "slightly weak"?

It's inappropriate to use "slightly weak" when describing something that is significantly deficient. In those cases, phrases such as "considerably weak" or "substantially weak" are more accurate.

Is there a difference between "slightly weak" and "rather weak"?

"Slightly weak" suggests a minimal degree of weakness, while "rather weak" implies a more noticeable level of deficiency. The choice depends on the extent of the weakness you want to convey.