Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
weak negative association
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "weak negative association" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as research, statistics, or psychology to describe a relationship between two variables that is not strong and is inversely related. Example: "The study found a weak negative association between exercise frequency and levels of stress among participants."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
Alternative expressions(2)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
38 human-written examples
As shown in Table 2, vitamin D levels were not associated with any parameters, but a weak negative association was found with triglycerides (R = −0.18, p = 0.04).
Science
Vitamin D level was not associated with age, sex, UAER, and blood pressure, but a weak negative association was found with HbA1c.
Science
A weak negative association was present between the use of migraine-specific medication and PP (rs = −0.06, p < 0.001).
The analysis also showed a weak negative association between their adaptive capacity and age (r = − 0.026; p ≥ 0.05).
Science
The results indicated that total diversity had a negative relationship with transect heterogeneity and total species number had a weak negative association with increasing fragmentation.
Endorsement of rape-supportive attitudes showed a weak negative association with self-reported reliance on sexual interest, r(245) = −0.196, p < 0.01, and a weak positive association with self-reported reliance on provocativeness-of-dress and attractiveness, rs(245,246) = 0.217 and 0.228, p values <0.01.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
22 human-written examples
Consistently we found weak negative associations of GLP-1 with kidney function in our population.
Science
Both weak negative associations as well as some positive associations between PFASs and ADHD that we observed in multiple PFAS models should be further explored.
Moreover, there are some weak negative associations between sensory acuity in either hearing or vision and cognitive processing again, as has been observed many times with such measures.
As shown in Figure 1, the weak negative associations were determined largely by the large leverage effect of a number of countries with GHEs but low migration rates.
Science
There were also weak negative associations between university teaching experience and ratings of nervous (r = −0.224, p = 0.000) and uncertain (r = −0.193, p = 0.000).
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "weak negative association", quantify the association with a correlation coefficient (r) or a p-value whenever possible to provide a more precise understanding of the strength and statistical significance of the relationship.
Common error
Avoid interpreting a "weak negative association" as a strong indicator of causality. It merely suggests a slight inverse relationship, and further investigation is often needed to determine the underlying factors.
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "weak negative association" functions as a descriptor in statistical and research contexts. It qualifies the nature of the relationship between two variables, indicating that it is inverse (negative) but not strong (weak). This usage aligns with the examples Ludwig AI provided, showing its primary role is to characterize the strength and direction of a relationship.
Frequent in
Science
100%
Less common in
News & Media
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Academia
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "weak negative association" is a common and correct term used to describe a slight inverse relationship between two variables, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in scientific and academic contexts, it's crucial to quantify this association with statistical measures like correlation coefficients or p-values for clarity. When interpreting it, avoid assuming causality and acknowledge its limited strength. Alternatives include "slight inverse correlation" or "minor inverse relationship", offering nuanced ways to express the same concept. Remember, the key is to understand the context and interpret the relationship cautiously.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
slight inverse correlation
Changes the structure and uses correlation instead of association, emphasizing the inverse relationship is minimal.
minor inverse relationship
Replaces "association" with "relationship" and "weak" with "minor", maintaining the core meaning.
negligible negative correlation
Emphasizes the insignificance of the negative correlation.
tenuous inverse link
Highlights the insubstantial nature of the negative connection.
faint negative relationship
Indicates the relationship is barely perceptible.
marginal negative association
Indicates the association is at the edge of significance.
subtle inverse correlation
Emphasizes that the inverse correlation is not immediately obvious.
loose negative connection
Highlights the relaxed or not strongly enforced nature of the negative relationship.
limited negative relation
Highlights that negative relation is bounded in amount, number, or extent.
attenuated negative linkage
Uses more formal language to describe a weakened negative connection.
FAQs
How can I use "weak negative association" in a sentence?
You can use "weak negative association" to describe a scenario where an increase in one variable is slightly correlated with a decrease in another. For example, "The study found a weak negative association between screen time and physical activity levels".
What are some alternatives to "weak negative association"?
You can use alternatives like "slight inverse correlation", "minor inverse relationship", or "negligible negative correlation" depending on the context.
What does a "weak negative association" imply about the relationship between two variables?
A "weak negative association" suggests that as one variable increases, the other tends to decrease slightly, but this relationship is not strong or reliable. It doesn't imply causation and may be influenced by other factors.
Is there a difference between "weak negative association" and "weak negative correlation"?
While the terms are often used interchangeably, "association" is a broader term that includes any statistical relationship, whereas "correlation" specifically refers to a linear relationship. In most contexts, they convey a similar meaning, but correlation implies a more specific type of relationship.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested