somewhat feeble

USAGE SUMMARY

'somewhat feeble' is a perfectly acceptable and usable phrase in written English.
It's most commonly used to describe something that is somewhat weak or inadequate. For example: "The effects of the medication were somewhat feeble; the patient's symptoms only slightly improved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Better stuff from Federer, meanwhile, coming into the net and smashing a somewhat feeble lob attempt.

The Guardian - Sport

The McKay Commission proposes a fourth answer which, however, is somewhat feeble.

The Guardian - Opinion

His court appearances after his ouster — in which he lay on a stretcher, wearing pajamas and sunglasses — and frequent reports of his ill health have reinforced his image as a detached, somewhat feeble leader.

The New York Times

But paradoxically, he also confirmed that Labour would not force a vote: it would wave the regulations through, with the proviso that a future Labour government will scrap them if things go wrong in future, and a somewhat feeble parting shot at children's minister Edward Timpson that it would be all his fault if it did go pear-shaped.

The Guardian

I even considered, by way of a somewhat feeble tribute, submitting a blank page - a sheet of brilliant white that would perfectly encapsulate my inarticulate reverence (Johnson, I should explain, once used pages shaded from grey to black to communicate the experience of a character's heart attack, a device he adapted from his beloved Tristram Shandy).

The Guardian - Books

First, the methods are based on procedures proper to analysing latent variables [ 51], rather than the somewhat feeble data reduction methods such as PCA.

BMC Geriatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Based on Carson McCullers's 1941 short novel about homosexuality, self-mutilation, and fetishism on an army base in the South, Taylor's Leonora Penderton is a sexually avaricious and somewhat "feeble-minded" wife to Captain Penderton (Marlon Brando), a repressed gay army officer who not only refuses to sleep with her but despises those aspects of her body that remain a convict's dream.

The New Yorker

This looks pretty feeble.

The Economist

Pretty feeble stuff.

The New York Times - Arts

A quick string of somewhat feeble compliments should do it.

The Guardian

It may be somewhat homely and quite feeble, but had it not existed, neither would Mazda as we know it.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "somewhat feeble", consider the specific context and ensure it accurately reflects the degree of weakness or inadequacy you intend to convey. It's suitable for situations where something isn't entirely ineffective, just not very strong.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat feeble" when describing something that is completely useless or broken. The phrase implies a degree of residual effectiveness, however small.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat feeble" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the quality of something as being moderately weak or ineffective. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

14%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "somewhat feeble" is a correct and usable phrase, as indicated by Ludwig AI, functioning as an adjective phrase to describe something as moderately weak or inadequate. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for broad audiences. While not extremely common, the phrase is useful for expressing a tempered degree of weakness. When using "somewhat feeble", it's important to consider the specific context and ensure it accurately reflects the degree of weakness or inadequacy intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly weak

Indicates a minor degree of weakness, emphasizing the small extent of the deficiency.

fairly weak

Suggests a state of lacking strength or power to a reasonable degree.

not very strong

A straightforward expression of lacking significant strength or intensity.

moderately frail

Suggests a noticeable lack of strength, leaning towards physical weakness or delicacy.

rather inadequate

Focuses on the insufficiency of something to meet a particular need or requirement.

somewhat deficient

Highlights a lack of something essential or necessary, implying a certain incompleteness.

slightly ineffective

Emphasizes the limited ability of something to produce the desired result.

marginally powerless

Suggests a state of having very little or no ability to exert influence or control.

a bit flimsy

Implies a lack of solidity or strength, often in a structural or material sense.

mildly unconvincing

Indicates a lack of persuasive power or believability.

FAQs

How can I use "somewhat feeble" in a sentence?

You can use "somewhat feeble" to describe something that is weak or ineffective to a certain degree. For example, "His excuse was "rather feeble" and unconvincing".

What are some alternatives to "somewhat feeble"?

Alternatives include "slightly weak", "moderately frail", or "rather inadequate", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "somewhat feeble" a formal or informal expression?

"Somewhat feeble" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives might exist depending on the specific situation.

How does "somewhat feeble" differ from "completely ineffective"?

"Somewhat feeble" suggests a partial lack of strength or effectiveness, whereas "completely ineffective" implies a total absence of any positive result. The former indicates something is weak, while the latter indicates it's useless.