weak outcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weak outcome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a result or conclusion that is not strong, effective, or satisfactory in a given context. Example: "The team's efforts led to a weak outcome, failing to meet the project's objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

It was, by American and European standards, a spectacularly weak outcome.

The New York Times

Such changes will cost, but nobody wanted to put money on the table, which was cited by the G77 as a major cause of the weak outcome.

The Guardian

The company reported like for like third quarter sales up 1.8% with strong performances in Britain and Poland but a weak outcome in France.

The Guardian - Business

"Growth" of -0.5% quarter-on-quarter remains a disappointingly weak outcome, even if the diamond jubilee did subtract about 0.4 points from it, as we still assume.

The Guardian - Business

"A very weak outcome for the ANC, getting less than a 55% national vote share and losing three metros, would likely be viewed as a market positive," said the Nomura emerging market analyst Peter Attard Montalto.

The Guardian

While the countries remain officially optimistic that a strong global warming treaty can be struck, they are privately braced for a weak outcome which heads of state will sign, but the public and scientists will condemn as much too little to prevent catastrophic global warming.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

On top of that, when drugs come to market they've only often been shown to be effective on short-term outcomes, and on surrogate outcomes, weak outcomes, theoretical outcomes.

The Guardian - Business

The weak outcomes of the U.S. education and training system have been a major source of concern for decades.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

A combination of weak outcomes in court and patterns of victims turning to informal measures (including those monitored by the police) can also mean the cases get summarily processed out of court, contrary to the law.

Huffington Post

These kinds of allegations of deception by schools, and evidence of weak outcomes for students, have reached the prospective student population and helped contribute to a decline in enrollments, revenues, and stock prices, at for-profit colleges.

Huffington Post

The weakest outcome for the EU would be division, but showy action that gets nowhere would be pointless too.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "weak outcome", consider the specific aspect of the outcome that is weak. Is it the impact, the quality, or the degree to which it met expectations? Clarifying this will make your writing more precise.

Common error

While "weak outcome" is generally acceptable, overuse in highly formal or academic writing can make your tone appear less professional. Opt for more precise and sophisticated alternatives like "suboptimal result" or "limited effectiveness" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weak outcome" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "weak" modifies the noun "outcome". It typically serves to describe the quality or effectiveness of a result as being less than satisfactory. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its usability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "weak outcome" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe a result that is less than satisfactory. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's found in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. While acceptable, consider using more precise alternatives like "poor result" or "subpar outcome" in formal settings. When employing "weak outcome", be specific about the aspects of the outcome that are lacking to enhance clarity and impact. The phrase serves to express disappointment or concern about results not meeting expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poor result

This alternative directly conveys a negative result, focusing on the quality of the outcome.

unsatisfactory outcome

This emphasizes the failure to meet expectations or requirements.

subpar outcome

This indicates an outcome that is below the average or expected standard.

disappointing result

This highlights the feeling of letdown associated with the outcome.

ineffective outcome

This focuses on the lack of impact or desired effect from the outcome.

flawed result

This suggests there are inherent problems or defects in the outcome.

deficient outcome

This implies a lack of something essential or necessary in the result.

inferior outcome

This suggests that the outcome is of lower quality compared to others.

lousy result

This is a more informal way of describing a very bad or poor outcome.

failed outcome

This emphasizes the complete lack of success in achieving the desired result.

FAQs

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

You can use "weak outcome" to describe a result that is not strong or effective. For example, "The negotiations resulted in a "weak outcome" that failed to address the core issues."

What are some alternatives to saying "weak outcome"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "poor result", "unsatisfactory outcome", or "subpar outcome".

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

Both "weak outcome" and "poor outcome" are acceptable, but "poor outcome" might be perceived as slightly stronger in its negativity. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "weak outcome"?

"Weak outcome" is appropriate in situations where the result achieved is less effective or impactful than desired or expected. It can be used in various contexts, from business and politics to science and personal endeavors.