weak agreement

USAGE SUMMARY

'weak agreement' is a valid and commonly used phrase in English.
It is typically used to refer to an agreement that is not strong or vigorous, such as a tentative agreement or a compromise. For example, "The two sides reached a weak agreement to stop trading tariffs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

JV What happens if the agreement is a weak agreement and not much gets sorted out?

The Guardian

A weak agreement could send the wrong signal to skittish investors.

The New York Times

Caution and concerns about liability led to a weak agreement that seems likely to do little to improve factory safety.

Harvard University

Among the many reasons that Trump's move makes no sense is that the Paris accord is a fundamentally weak agreement.

The New Yorker

Better a strong weak agreement that has a good chance of being honoured than a weak strong agreement that is likely to collapse.

The Economist

There was no lack of good intentions, but they generated conflicts rather than solutions, and the product was a weak agreement to disagree in the future.

The New York Times

A weak agreement could still be hailed a success in two weeks' time because the bar has been lowered and much of the work has already been done.

The Guardian

"The markets will not buy" a weak agreement, he said, a reference to the need to stop the flight of foreign money from Indonesia.

The New York Times

The University of the North reached a weak agreement with the students that did little more than express a desire that they pay, Mr. Abrahams said.

The New York Times

If they miss their chance and produce a weak agreement, some experts fear it will become too late to save the world from catastrophic climate change.

Independent

He wants a bipartisan push to require Mr Obama to submit any accord with Iran to Congress for review, knowing that many Democrats worry about reaching a weak agreement.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an agreement as "weak", specify the aspect or area where it lacks strength. For example, is it weak in enforcement, scope, or commitment?

Common error

Avoid presenting a "weak agreement" as a definitive solution. Acknowledge its limitations and potential for failure to manage expectations effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weak agreement" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "weak" modifies the noun "agreement". Ludwig AI's analysis shows it's used to describe the quality or effectiveness of an agreement. In most cases, it identifies a compromised resolution or lack of consensus.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "weak agreement" is a commonly used expression to describe an agreement lacking strength, enforceability, or commitment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance across diverse contexts, including science, news media, and academia. While the phrase is widely accepted, it's crucial to acknowledge its limitations and potential for misinterpretation. Related phrases like ""tenuous agreement"" or ""fragile accord"" offer nuanced alternatives, each emphasizing specific aspects of the agreement's shortcomings. When using "weak agreement", provide context to clarify the specific areas of weakness to avoid overstating its impact. The phrase's widespread usage underscores its importance in discussions about compromises, negotiations, and conflict resolution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tenuous agreement

Emphasizes the fragility and lack of solid foundation of the agreement.

fragile accord

Highlights the delicate and easily broken nature of the agreement.

shaky consensus

Implies an unstable and uncertain agreement among parties.

limited understanding

Suggests that the agreement is superficial and does not encompass a deep, shared perspective.

partial compromise

Indicates that the agreement only addresses some aspects of the issue, with unresolved elements remaining.

tentative arrangement

Conveys the provisional and unconfirmed nature of the agreement.

informal pact

Highlights the absence of formal or binding commitments in the agreement.

dubious settlement

Implies skepticism and uncertainty about the fairness or effectiveness of the agreement.

superficial deal

Suggests that the agreement is shallow and lacks substance or depth.

constrained accord

Highlights the fact that the agreement is made under limitations and constraints, not freely.

FAQs

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

You might say, "The negotiations resulted in a "weak agreement" that failed to address key concerns" or "A "weak agreement" could send the wrong signal to investors".

What phrases are similar to "weak agreement"?

Alternatives include "tenuous agreement", "fragile accord", or "shaky consensus". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes an agreement "weak"?

An agreement can be considered "weak" if it lacks enforceability, has limited scope, or involves a lack of commitment from the parties involved. It may also be described as "partial compromise".

Is a "weak agreement" better than no agreement at all?

It depends on the context. A "weak agreement" might provide a starting point for future negotiations or prevent immediate conflict, but it could also create a false sense of security or delay more effective solutions. The merits of each case depend on how "limited understanding" affects other negotiations.