English UsageGrammar guide

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.

Quick answer

Use “weak in” when describing limited ability or performance in a subject or field.

Key details

Confusion Familyusage-construction
Rule Familyadjective or complement construction
Termsweak 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.

  1. 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.

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