weak picture

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weak picture" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an image or visual representation that lacks clarity, detail, or impact. Example: "The weak picture failed to convey the emotions of the scene, leaving the audience unimpressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"It's a very weak picture".

The New York Times

Now, along with outside factors like oil prices, Mr. Bush's priorities are actually contributing to the weak picture for jobs.

The New York Times

The weak picture ought to mean that there will be no increase in US interest rates until 2012 at the earliest, according to Ian Morris, HSBC's head of US economics.

The Guardian - Business

He described it as "overall, an unambiguously weak picture which only looks likely to get worse as the debt crisis continues," and predicted that euro zone gross domestic product would decline by 1 percent this year, with 2013 "likely to be much worse".

The New York Times

Employment grew by less than 100,000 last month, the Labor Department reported yesterday, well below the level needed to keep pace with the expansion in the labor force and presenting a weak picture of the economy in the last employment report before President Bush faces the voters in his bid for re-election.

The New York Times

Using a supercomputer, Saadeh, Pontzen, and colleagues look for evidence of any such patterns lurking faintly behind random variations in the CMB's temperature a process not unlike trying to pick out a weak picture through extreme static on an old-fashioned TV screen.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

I don't like to put weak pictures in a series.

The New York Times

Beyond such japes, the only weak pictures in the show are what are quite likely large worksheets, on which Ramírez rehearsed miscellaneous ideas with little thought to their over-all unity.

The New Yorker

However, the GDP data on Thursday is expected to show a weaker picture for the industrial and construction sectors.

The Guardian - Business

The weaker picture came despite a fall in unemployment to 5.1%, its lowest since 2006 and a drop from 5.2% in October.

The Guardian - Business

But Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at the market analysis firm, said strong drinks sales masked a weaker picture overall.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation or concept, use "weak picture" to convey that the available data or information presents an unfavorable or unconvincing view. It's often used in economic or employment contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "weak picture" solely to describe the aesthetic quality of a photograph or artwork. While it can imply visual deficiencies, it is more commonly used to critique the state of something based on available information, such as a "weak economic picture".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weak picture" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "weak" modifies the noun "picture". According to Ludwig AI, it is used to describe a situation, concept, or representation that lacks strength, clarity, or positive characteristics. The adjective specifies a quality of the noun.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "weak picture" is an adjective phrase + noun commonly employed to negatively assess a situation or representation, particularly in economic, employment, and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. While the aesthetic interpretation of the expression is less common, the phrase typically denotes an unfavorable outlook or deficient quality. To avoid misuse, it is important to distinguish between visual critique and conceptual or data-driven assessments. Alternatives include "poor image" and "faint image". Dominant sources using the phrase are The New York Times, The Guardian and Forbes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poor image

Replaces "weak" with "poor", emphasizing the low quality of the image.

faint image

Substitutes "weak" with "faint", highlighting the lack of clarity or distinctness.

unclear depiction

Uses "unclear" instead of "weak", focusing on the lack of clarity in the representation.

deficient representation

Replaces "weak" with "deficient" and "picture" with "representation", indicating a lack of something necessary.

flawed portrayal

Uses "flawed" instead of "weak", emphasizing imperfections in the representation.

substandard graphic

Replaces "weak" with "substandard", indicating that the image is below an expected quality level.

tenuous illustration

Substitutes "weak" with "tenuous", indicating a lack of substance or strength in the illustration.

feeble visualization

Uses "feeble" instead of "weak", highlighting the lack of impact in the visualization.

compromised visual

Replaces "weak" with "compromised", suggesting that the quality of the visual is reduced.

fragile representation

Substitutes "weak" with "fragile", emphasizing the delicate or easily damaged nature of the representation.

FAQs

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

You can use "weak picture" to describe a situation or concept where the available data or information suggests an unfavorable or unconvincing view. For example: "The latest unemployment figures paint a "weak picture" of the labor market".

What can I say instead of "weak picture"?

You can use alternatives like "poor image", "faint image", or "unclear depiction" depending on the specific context.

Is it always negative to describe something as a "weak picture"?

Yes, describing something as a "weak picture" typically carries a negative connotation, implying that the situation or information being presented is unfavorable or unconvincing.

In what contexts is the phrase "weak picture" most commonly used?

The phrase "weak picture" is commonly used in contexts related to economics, employment, and finance to describe unfavorable trends or data. It can also be used in science to describe a visualization which shows "tenuous illustration".