weak idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weak idea" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a concept or suggestion that lacks strength, clarity, or persuasiveness. Example: "The proposal was ultimately rejected because it was based on a weak idea that failed to address the core issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Poisoning London's water supplies was a "weak idea".

The Economist

Ever avaricious, Warhol spurned no weak idea — dollar signs, diamond-dust shoes — that might turn a buck.

The New Yorker

Amis falls back on the weak idea that he was mad, an envious loner driven into homicidal lunacy by the taste of power, and argues that when he did sensible things, like defeating Hitler, he stopped being mad.

The Guardian - Books

"Take her a weak idea and you'll get the four-paw pounce".

Science Magazine

Show kindness You can be a decisive leader and say "no" to a weak idea without crushing someone's spirit.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

These features are both concessions to weak ideas that Mr. Libeskind presented a year ago.

The New York Times - Arts

In film, weak ideas, often because of political restraints and bowdlerized scripts, and delayed openings because of lengthy censorship are weakening the ability of Chinese directors to attract audiences.

The New York Times

It's not just the weak ideas that get killed; good options or ideas at the wrong time also need to go.

Forbes

If you iterate enough and continuously toss out the weak ideas, you will (hopefully) eventually find a great one.

Huffington Post

Take a good listen to what they have to say, weed out the weak ideas and consider what they're saying.

Huffington Post

For Singh, the reading is inverted; the party failed to connect with people, and was so ultimately out of touch that they offered weak ideas that were easily outflanked by a Liberal party that could make a stronger connection with weaker (or outright false) promises.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When critiquing an idea, use "weak idea" to politely express reservations without being overly harsh. Balance it with constructive feedback to foster a collaborative environment.

Common error

Avoid simply labeling an idea as a "weak idea" without explaining why. Always follow up with specific reasons for its perceived weakness and suggest potential improvements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weak idea" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "weak" modifies the noun "idea". It serves to categorize or characterize a particular idea as lacking strength, validity, or persuasiveness. As seen in Ludwig AI, the phrase is often used to express criticism or disagreement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "weak idea" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, albeit not exceedingly common. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness, signifying its appropriateness for describing concepts lacking strength or persuasiveness. It functions primarily to negatively evaluate a concept, indicating a lack of support or potential for success. Appearing frequently in News & Media and Science sources, its register is generally neutral. To avoid overuse and enhance communication, alternatives like "flimsy concept" or "poor suggestion" can be employed. When using "weak idea", ensure you provide specific reasoning for its perceived inadequacies to promote constructive dialogue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flimsy concept

Replaces 'idea' with 'concept' and 'weak' with 'flimsy', suggesting something easily broken or unconvincing.

poor suggestion

Substitutes 'idea' with 'suggestion' and 'weak' with 'poor', implying a lack of quality or suitability.

tenuous notion

Replaces 'idea' with 'notion' and 'weak' with 'tenuous', indicating a lack of substance or support.

feeble plan

Substitutes 'idea' with 'plan' and 'weak' with 'feeble', suggesting a lack of strength and effectiveness.

implausible theory

Replaces 'idea' with 'theory' and 'weak' with 'implausible', highlighting a lack of believability or likelihood.

unconvincing argument

Replaces 'idea' with 'argument' and 'weak' with 'unconvincing', emphasizing a failure to persuade.

flawed concept

Substitutes 'idea' with 'concept' and 'weak' with 'flawed', focusing on inherent imperfections or errors.

deficient strategy

Replaces 'idea' with 'strategy' and 'weak' with 'deficient', implying inadequacy and incompleteness.

unsound proposal

Substitutes 'idea' with 'proposal' and 'weak' with 'unsound', focusing on a lack of solidity or logical basis.

vulnerable hypothesis

Replaces 'idea' with 'hypothesis' and 'weak' with 'vulnerable', highlighting susceptibility to criticism or disproof.

FAQs

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

You can use "weak idea" to describe a concept or plan that lacks strength or persuasiveness. For example: "The committee rejected the proposal because it was based on a "weak idea"."

What are some alternatives to "weak idea"?

Alternatives to "weak idea" include phrases like "flimsy concept", "poor suggestion", or "tenuous notion", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "weak idea" in formal writing?

Yes, "weak idea" is appropriate for formal writing, but it's crucial to support your assertion with concrete evidence or reasoning. Consider using alternatives such as "unsound proposal" for added formality.

What makes an idea a "weak idea"?

A "weak idea" typically lacks sufficient evidence, logical reasoning, or practical feasibility. It might also fail to address the core problem or offer a viable solution.