soft results

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "soft results" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It can refer to outcomes or conclusions that are not definitive or concrete, but rather more subtle or subjective in nature. Example: The experiment produced soft results, as the data was inconclusive and difficult to interpret.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

On Monday, Blackstone reported soft results in its private equity and corporate real estate businesses, its two biggest divisions.

The New York Times

Despite the soft results for "Kung Fu Panda 2," animated releases have continued to perform well in the format, overcoming early problems with glasses that didn't fit little faces.

The New York Times

Given eBay's soft results and weakening softening retail trends, analysts had expressed muted expectations for Amazon's second-quarter results.

Forbes

While the accurate measurement of net impact that the projects have had is very difficult to carry out due to the absence of a baseline study, both concrete and soft results can be identified.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The soft result extends Hollywood's losing streak to 13 "down" weekends in a row.

The New York Times

A new entry, "Snitch" (Lionsgate), sold about $13 million in tickets, on par with pre-release expectations but a soft result nonetheless.

The New York Times

"Little Fockers," which cost $100 million to make and generated negative reviews, was No. 1 with about $34 million for the weekend ($48 million total), a soft result that did not meet pre-release estimates.

The New York Times

Lyn Graham-Taylor of Rabobank: The longer-dated bond is a bit of a soft result but by no means a disaster given we've seen the biggest upheaval ahead of a Dutch bond sale for many years.

The Guardian - Business

Tell if the potatoes are ready for mashing by sticking a fork in them and getting a nice, mushy, and soft result.

WikiHow

And there are newer formulations on the market, chemical mixes that promise softer results, better tinting and fewer noxious fumes.

The New York Times

The company also cut its 2009 earnings forecast for a second time on a write-down and softer results from its international household and body care and international bakery business divisions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "soft results", clarify the specific reasons why the results are not definitive, such as limitations in methodology or sample size.

Common error

Avoid presenting "soft results" as conclusive evidence. Instead, acknowledge the limitations and suggest further investigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "soft results" functions as an adjective-noun phrase, where "soft" modifies the noun "results". According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct. It describes outcomes that are not strong, definitive, or conclusive.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "soft results" is grammatically sound and serves to describe outcomes that lack definitive strength or conclusive evidence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate to describe outcomes that are subtle, subjective, or preliminary. While not overly frequent, the phrase appears across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal business settings. It's crucial to avoid overstating the significance of "soft results", emphasizing instead the need for further investigation or validation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weak outcomes

Emphasizes the lack of strength or impact of the results.

ambiguous results

Focuses on the lack of clarity and potential for multiple interpretations.

inconclusive outcomes

Focuses on the lack of a clear or definitive conclusion.

preliminary findings

Indicates that the results are not yet final or fully substantiated.

marginal results

Suggests the results are just barely sufficient or noticeable.

tenuous findings

Highlights the fragility and uncertainty of the findings.

subtle effects

Highlights the understated or delicate nature of the effects observed.

modest achievements

Focuses on the limited degree of success attained.

limited success

Emphasizes the restricted scope or degree of accomplishment.

underwhelming performance

Highlights the failure to meet expectations or achieve a desired level of performance.

FAQs

What does "soft results" mean?

The term "soft results" refers to outcomes or conclusions that are not definitive or concrete, but rather more subtle, subjective, or preliminary in nature.

How can I use "soft results" in a sentence?

You might say, "The initial study yielded "soft results", suggesting a potential trend but requiring further investigation."

What are some alternatives to "soft results"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "inconclusive outcomes", "preliminary findings", or "weak outcomes".

When is it appropriate to use the term "soft results"?

Use "soft results" when you want to acknowledge that the outcomes are not strong or definitive, but still hold some potential value or indicate a possible direction for future research.