weak tone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weak tone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sound, voice, or expression that lacks strength, clarity, or assertiveness. Example: "The speaker's weak tone made it difficult for the audience to engage with the presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Strong figures on job creation have generally belied the weak tone of numbers on durable-goods orders and retail sales.Some investors may be inclined to take a relaxed view of the Fed's dilemma.

The Economist

For rotor stator type applications, the moving interface only introduces a spurious weak tone at the rotational frequency provided the latter is correctly sampled.

Journal of Computational Physics

(A – J ) Data are presented as in Figure 4. Strong tone response data are presented on the left (A, C, D, G, I ) with solid lines and filled bars, and weak tone response data are presented on the right (B, E, F, H, J ) with dashed lines and unfilled bars.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

However, PV and SOM suppression exhibited a similar effect on responses to the strong and the weak tones in neurons that exhibited differential responses to two tones.

eLife

Suppressing SOMs also led to similar differential effects between strong and weak tones; standard tone-evoked FR increased equally (N = 34, p2 > 0.05, t 33) = 1.1) and deviant tone-evoked FR was equally unchanged (p2 = 0.05, t 33) = −0.1).

eLife

There were no significant differences between strong and weak tones for the change in spontaneous FR and standard and deviant tone-evoked FR (Spn, Stn, and Dev: p > 0.05, 0.28 and 0.95, t 33) < 1.2).

eLife

There were no significant differences between strong and weak tones for the change in spontaneous FR and standard and deviant tone-evoked FR (K, Spn, Stn and Dev: p > 0.05, t 50) < 2.0).

eLife

The report suggested consumer spending maintained its weaker tone into the second quarter as high gasoline and food prices continue to stretch household finances.

Huffington Post

Children will go on to develop symptoms of muscular hypotonia (weak muscle tone).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a rare human genetic disorder characterized by weak muscle tone at birth, small stature, intellectual disabilities, overeating leading to childhood obesity, and high rates of morbidity and mortality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ella's mother, Rachel Perris, has seen a transformation in her daughter, who was born with Koolen syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterised by weak muscle tone, impaired sight and hearing, and heart problems.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a speaker's voice, consider whether "weak tone" accurately conveys a lack of confidence, or if a more specific term like "hesitant voice" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "weak tone" too frequently in formal writing, as it can sound vague. Opt for more descriptive and precise language to convey the intended meaning, such as "lacking conviction" or "unpersuasive argument".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weak tone" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase, where "weak" modifies the noun "tone". It describes the quality of something, often referring to a lack of strength or intensity in a voice, sound, or expression. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "weak tone" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a lack of strength, intensity, or conviction in a sound, voice, or expression. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While versatile, "weak tone" can be somewhat vague, and more precise alternatives like "feeble tone" or "soft tone" might be more suitable depending on the specific context. Primarily found in News & Media and Scientific sources, the phrase maintains a neutral register. When using "weak tone", consider the specific nuance you wish to convey and whether a more descriptive term would enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeble tone

Replaces "weak" with "feeble", suggesting a more pronounced lack of strength.

soft tone

Substitutes "weak" with "soft", indicating a gentle or subdued quality.

subdued tone

Uses "subdued" instead of "weak", implying a reduction in intensity or energy.

gentle tone

Replaces "weak" with "gentle", suggesting mildness and lack of harshness.

faint tone

Employs "faint" instead of "weak", highlighting a lack of clarity or distinctness.

muted tone

Substitutes "weak" with "muted", suggesting a reduced volume or intensity.

lowered tone

Uses "lowered" instead of "weak", emphasizing a decrease in intensity or volume.

understated tone

Replaces "weak" with "understated", implying a deliberate lack of emphasis or prominence.

fragile tone

Substitutes "weak" with "fragile", suggesting delicacy and vulnerability.

delicate tone

Uses "delicate" instead of "weak", emphasizing subtlety and refinement.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "weak tone" in a sentence?

Use "weak tone" to describe something lacking strength or intensity, like "The negotiator's "weak tone" during the discussion indicated a lack of conviction."

What are some alternatives to "weak tone"?

Consider using alternatives such as "feeble tone", "soft tone", or "subdued tone" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

While grammatically correct, "weak tone" might be perceived as vague in formal contexts. Consider using stronger, more descriptive alternatives to convey the intended meaning more precisely.

What's the difference between "weak tone" and "low tone"?

"Weak tone" implies a lack of strength or conviction, while "low tone" refers to the pitch or volume of a sound. They describe different aspects of the sound or expression.