weaker than expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weaker than expected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or outcome that did not meet anticipated strength or performance levels. Example: "The company's quarterly earnings report showed results that were weaker than expected, leading to a decline in stock prices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

U.S. Q1 Productivity Growth Weaker Than Expected.

Forbes

It was much weaker than expected.

The New York Times

Tiffany said holiday sales were weaker than expected.

The New York Times

"Consumers were a little bit weaker than expected," he said.

The New York Times

And Germany's PMI was slightly weaker than expected at 49.7.

The Guardian - Business

Weekly jobs data released on Thursday was weaker than expected.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Losers included companies that issued weaker-than-expected outlooks or earnings.

The New York Times

Limited Brands also blamed an unusually warm fall for weaker-than-expected third-quarter profits.

The New York Times

And Exxon Mobil, despite soaring oil prices, reported weaker-than-expected third-quarter earnings.

The New York Times

Industrial production came in at a weaker-than-expected 0.1percentt in September.

The New York Times

Weaker-than-expected reports on durable goods orders and jobless claims contributed to the decline.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "weaker than expected", ensure the context clearly defines what expectations were and why the result was weaker. Provide specific data or examples to support the claim.

Common error

Avoid using "weaker than expected" without specifying the relevant metric or benchmark. For example, instead of saying "The results were weaker than expected", specify "The sales figures were weaker than expected compared to last quarter".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weaker than expected" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun (often implied or stated elsewhere in the sentence) by indicating that it is less strong or less successful than what was anticipated. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "weaker than expected" is a commonly used and grammatically correct comparative adjective phrase used to describe results or performance that fall short of anticipated levels. Ludwig AI highlights that the phrase is particularly prevalent in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly specify the benchmark or expectation against which something is being compared to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "below expectations", "underperformed", and "disappointing". Overall, "weaker than expected" is a versatile and easily understood phrase suitable for various levels of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

below expectations

Focuses on the shortfall relative to expectations, simplifying the comparison.

underperformed

Highlights the failure to achieve the anticipated level of performance.

disappointing

Emphasizes the negative feeling associated with the result.

fell short of projections

Specifically refers to a failure to meet projected targets.

less successful than anticipated

Replaces "weaker" with a more descriptive term, softening the negative connotation.

failed to meet the mark

An idiomatic expression indicating a failure to reach a standard.

did not live up to expectations

Focuses on the failure to satisfy prior expectations.

lower than anticipated

Directly compares the actual result with what was anticipated.

not as robust as predicted

Uses "robust" to replace "strong", adding a slightly more formal tone.

below par

An idiomatic expression indicating that something is substandard.

FAQs

How can I use "weaker than expected" in a sentence?

You can use "weaker than expected" to describe data or performance that did not meet anticipated levels. For example: "The company's earnings were "weaker than expected", leading to a stock price decline."

What are some alternatives to "weaker than expected"?

You can use alternatives such as "below expectations", "underperformed", or "disappointing" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "weaker than expected" and "worse than expected"?

"Weaker than expected" typically refers to a performance or result that is less strong or robust than anticipated, whereas "worse than expected" implies a more negative outcome. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize a lack of strength or a negative impact.

Is it appropriate to use "weaker than expected" in formal writing?

Yes, "weaker than expected" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in business, economics, and news contexts, where it's used to describe performance relative to forecasts or predictions. Just ensure that the context is clear and the comparison is well-defined.