weak places

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weak places" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to areas of vulnerability or deficiency in a system, argument, or structure. Example: "In analyzing the security of our network, we identified several weak places that need to be addressed to prevent potential breaches."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"Our strategy for the future is that we will confront the regime in its weak places, and in the next period we hope to acquire weapons so we can be able to face the regime more strongly," Colonel Assad said.

The New York Times

The landscape reflects the fortunes of its inhabitants – the characters feel with each tide "the patches, strains and gaps in their craft, as if they were weak places in their own bodies", and when Nenna attempts a disastrous reconciliation with her husband, there is a predictably violent storm.

The Guardian - Books

Our experiments proved that at certain conditions the use of thermovision for detection of weak places on loaded ropes and chains is applicable.

Measurement

How he aided the city in its struggle against the great floods; how he instructed the bank to cash all paper issued by the city in those dark days; how his fortune was ready to be used in protecting life and property here, and how his barges were always placed in readiness to be sunk opposite weak places in the levee.

Wikipedia

I'm not saying men can't learn to wield a sword well, they can and they do, but while many of my female students seem to have an easier time accepting the sword as teacher, as glowing arrow pointing in the direction of those weak places that need focus.

Huffington Post

Add layers of glue and manila to these weak places.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Hitchens is apparently employing the Denis Healey defence, says Hattersley: "When in a weak place, quote a lot of names and places".

The Guardian

One Labour source said that the party was in a weak place to criticise the award because Spencer Livermore, who ran Ed Miliband's election campaign, received a peerage in the dissolution honours list.

The Guardian

While I totally agree that it was the worst instance of industrialized mass murder in history…I'm very wary of using that as grounds because it strikes me as weak place to think from.

TechCrunch

A strong place attachment that is determined by the quality of living environment and the length of residence proved to be significant predictor of anti-coal attitude, while the employment tied to coal industry and weak place attachments are key factors shaping a pro-coal attitude.

Resources Policy

Finding a weak place at the Earth's surface it broke through, producing the volcano.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts or systems, use "weak places" to pinpoint specific areas needing reinforcement or attention. For example, "The company identified several "weak places" in its cybersecurity infrastructure and implemented new security protocols."

Common error

Avoid using "weak places" in overly casual conversation. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or technical in everyday contexts. Opt for simpler terms like "problem areas" or "vulnerable spots" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weak places" functions as a noun phrase, where 'weak' modifies 'places'. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly identifies areas of vulnerability or deficiency in a system or structure.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

21%

Science

29%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "weak places" is a grammatically sound phrase that identifies areas of vulnerability or deficiency. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. While not exceedingly common, it finds its place in news, scientific writing, and general explanations, leaning toward a neutral or professional register. Related phrases like "vulnerable spots" or "areas of weakness" can serve as suitable alternatives depending on the specific tone and setting. Use "weak places" strategically to pinpoint areas needing attention, but be mindful of the audience and context to ensure clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vulnerable spots

Replaces "places" with "spots", emphasizing a specific location or area of vulnerability.

fragile areas

Substitutes "weak" with "fragile", highlighting the susceptibility to damage or collapse of certain areas.

vulnerable points

Changes "places" to "points", suggesting specific locations or aspects that are susceptible to attack or failure.

areas of weakness

Reverses the structure to emphasize the concept of weakness applying to areas.

deficient spots

Uses "deficient" to indicate a lack of necessary qualities or resources in particular spots.

compromised locations

Highlights locations that have been exposed to risks.

soft spots

Employs "soft" to represent areas lacking strength or resilience.

achilles' heels

Metaphorically indicates fundamental vulnerabilities or flaws, drawing from mythology.

points of vulnerability

Emphasizes the idea of points being exposed to potential harm or risk.

unprotected areas

Focuses on the lack of protection or defense in certain areas.

FAQs

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

You can use "weak places" to refer to areas of vulnerability or deficiency in a system, argument, or structure. For example, "The analysis revealed several "weak places" in the company's financial strategy".

What are some alternatives to "weak places"?

You can use alternatives like "vulnerable spots", "fragile areas", or "areas of weakness" depending on the context.

Is "weak places" formal or informal language?

"Weak places" is generally considered neutral to formal language. While it can be used in news articles, it is rarely seen on social media platforms.

What is the difference between "weak places" and "vulnerable points"?

"Weak places" generally refers to broader areas of deficiency, while "vulnerable points" suggests specific locations or aspects that are susceptible to attack or failure.