Weak In: Standard Pattern
Weak In: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than turning one attested complement into a universal prohibition.
Use “weak in” when describing limited ability or performance in a subject or field.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Context | Use | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| limited ability or performance in a subject or field | weak in | Use “weak in + subject/field” for the documented ability pattern. |
| general lack of strength | weak | Do not force “in” when no subject or field follows. |
| different complement or sense | check context | The evidenced pattern does not exclude other standard uses of “weak.” |
Quick tests
Decision test
Are you naming the subject, field, or area in which ability or performance is limited?
If yes: Use “weak in + subject/field.”
If no: Use another construction if the weakness is physical or the complement expresses a different relation.
Caveat: This page records an attested pattern, not an exclusive rule for every use of “weak.”
Examples
She is weak in algebra but strong in geometry.
“In” introduces the subject area.
The team was weak in defensive organization.
“In” introduces the performance area.
He felt weak after the long hike.
No field is named, so the adjective stands without “in.”
Further guidance
Construction
Use “weak in” when describing limited ability or performance in a subject or field.
Style Boundary
Cambridge documents both “weak in” and “weak at” in ability contexts, so this page records “weak in” without presenting it as the only correct complement.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- WEAK | English meaning — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct Cambridge dictionary evidence contrasting weak at/in a subject with strong in another subject.