weaker than that of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weaker than that of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the strength or effectiveness of one thing to another, typically in a comparative context. Example: "The argument presented by the opposing team is weaker than that of our side, making it easier for us to win the debate."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their schedule is far weaker than that of the Seminoles.

The New York Times - Sports

But the accusing tone is slightly weaker than that of the North American news media.

The New York Times

Effects of the surrounding landscape composition seemed to be weaker than that of the local habitat.

Biological Conservation

Essentially, the swallowing capacity of human beings is much weaker than that of other animals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The first-principles calculation shows that Cu-O bond is weaker than that of Co-O.

Electrochimica Acta

The untreated glass surface is also negatively charged, but the charge is weaker than that of the cleaned glass.

Nature

Interaction of the wild-type motif with the copper ion is ~ 160 kcal/mol weaker than that of mutated motif.

Biophysical Chemistry

The initial impact effect of the three-layered tubes is weaker than that of the two-layered tubes.

Composite Structures

It was shown that the polyelectrolyte swelling of cryogels is much weaker than that of gels synthesized in solutions.

Polymer

Mr Robinson's hold over his fractious supporters is weaker than that of his predecessor, the Rev Ian Paisley.

The Economist

The antilymphangiogenic effect of fluorometholone was significantly weaker than that of prednisolone and dexamethasone.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two distinct entities, ensure that the context clearly establishes what aspect is "weaker". For instance, specify if you're referring to the intensity, impact, or influence.

Common error

Ensure the sentence structure clarifies what is being compared. For example, instead of "His argument was weaker than that of the previous speaker", specify "His argument was weaker than that of the previous speaker's evidence."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weaker than that of" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to indicate that something possesses less strength, power, or effectiveness compared to something else. Ludwig AI examples confirm its common use in comparative statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

15%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "weaker than that of" is a commonly used comparative phrase that serves to indicate that something is less strong, potent, or effective when compared to something else. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in both neutral and formal contexts, especially in scientific, news and media writing. While alternatives like "less potent than that of" or "not as strong as that of" exist, the original phrase remains a clear and precise way to express relative inferiority in strength or effectiveness. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating what is being compared.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less potent than that of

Replaces "weaker" with "less potent", emphasizing a reduction in effectiveness or power.

not as strong as that of

Uses a more direct comparison, substituting "weaker" with "not as strong".

inferior to that of

Implies a lower quality or effectiveness compared to something else.

not as effective as that of

Focuses specifically on the comparative effectiveness.

less robust than that of

Highlights a lack of resilience or durability in comparison.

does not match the strength of

Shifts the construction to emphasize the disparity in strength.

not as impactful as that of

Emphasizes the relative influence or effect.

pales in comparison to that of

Uses a more figurative expression to indicate a significant difference in strength or quality.

is overshadowed by that of

Implies one thing is less noticeable or significant due to the greater strength of another.

lacks the force of

Directly addresses the absence of power or strength.

FAQs

How can I use "weaker than that of" in a sentence?

Use "weaker than that of" to compare the relative strength or effectiveness of two things. For example, "The evidence presented was "less compelling than that of" the prosecution."

What are some alternatives to "weaker than that of"?

Alternatives include "less potent than that of", "not as strong as that of", or "inferior to that of", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "weaker than that of" or "not as strong as"?

"Weaker than that of" tends to be slightly more formal than "not as strong as", but both are acceptable in many contexts.

What's the difference between "weaker than" and "weaker than that of"?

"Weaker than" requires the compared item to be explicitly stated or understood from the context. "Weaker than that of" is used when you're comparing to something previously mentioned, where "that" refers back to a specific noun. For example, "His grip was weaker than John's grip" vs. "His grip was weaker than that of John."