weak connection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weak connection" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where the relationship or link between two entities is not strong or reliable, often in contexts like technology, communication, or personal relationships. Example: "During the video call, I noticed a weak connection that caused frequent interruptions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Maybe it's not a complete disconnect but it's a weak connection".

The Guardian

But an analysis of counties showed a weak connection between exercise and obesity.

The Economist

Analysis of these data yields an unexpectedly weak connection between education and performance.

Research Policy

Never use lag bolts, as these can be overtightened, stripping the wood and resulting in a weak connection.

The Washington Post

Our results also explain the rare occurrence of this phenomenon under dark conditions, as well as its seemingly weak connection with atmospheric ions.

Nature

The problem with this approach is that the person deploying the network would not detect a weak connection immediately and might have to backtrack.

MIT Technology Review

But apart from these predictable results, there is a very weak connection between the number of places offered to refugees and the GDP per capita.

Independent

A weak connection has been designed between the two orthogonal walls of the specimen in order to reproduce common execution practices.

Composites Part B: Engineering

(2 -for example: mimobaby ) But there have been revealed certain flaws in such systems, allowing hackers to find a weak connection, breaking it, and increasing the risk for the entire family.

Cornell University

Video filmed in the app is low resolution and, obviously, very short, so the video file is small and can be uploaded to the internet with a relatively weak connection.

The Guardian

The machine was restricted to 7TeV collisions after a weak connection led to a short circuit that caused an explosion less than two weeks after it was first switched on in September 2008.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical issues (e.g., network connectivity), use "weak connection" to clearly indicate unreliable or intermittent service without being overly technical.

Common error

In formal or scientific writing, overuse of "weak connection" can appear vague. Instead, specify the nature of the connection (e.g., "low statistical correlation", "limited causal link") for greater precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weak connection" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "weak" modifies the noun "connection". It describes a state or condition of having an insubstantial or unreliable link between two or more entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

34%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "weak connection" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to describe an unreliable or tenuous link between two or more things. As Ludwig AI confirms, its application spans across various domains, but is especially common in scientific and news contexts. While there are many alternatives, such as "tenuous link" or "fragile link", it's essential to specify the nature of the connection for greater precision in formal writing. When describing technical issues, "weak connection" is a clear way to indicate an unreliable service without being overly technical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tenuous link

Replaces "connection" with "link", emphasizing the fragility of the association.

fragile link

Substitutes "connection" with "link" and "weak" with "fragile", highlighting vulnerability.

loose relationship

Employs "loose" instead of "weak" and "relationship" in place of "connection", suggesting a lack of strictness or definition.

tenuous association

Replaces "connection" with "association", indicating a less formal relationship.

slight correlation

Uses "correlation" to replace "connection", implying a statistical relationship of low significance.

limited interaction

Focuses on the interaction aspect of the connection, suggesting minimal exchange or influence.

flimsy tie

Replaces "connection" with "tie", emphasizing the insubstantial nature of the bond.

remote association

Highlights the distance or indirectness of the relationship.

insubstantial link

Replaces 'weak' with 'insubstantial', stressing the lack of a solid foundation.

marginal relation

Uses "marginal" to describe the relation, indicating it is barely significant or effective.

FAQs

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

You can use "weak connection" to describe a variety of situations where there is an unreliable or tenuous link between two or more things. For example: "There is a "weak connection" between diet and cancer risk", or "The building suffered a "weak connection" to the power grid after the storm".

What can I say instead of "weak connection"?

You can use alternatives like "tenuous link", "fragile link", or "loose relationship" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "weak connection" or "poor connection"?

Both ""weak connection"" and "poor connection" are acceptable, but they have slightly different connotations. "Weak connection" implies a lack of strength or reliability, while "poor connection" suggests inadequacy or inferiority. The best choice depends on the specific context you're describing.

What's the difference between "weak connection" and "tenuous connection"?

"Weak connection" suggests a lack of strength or firmness in a relationship or link, while "tenuous connection" implies that the connection is fragile, delicate, or barely existing.