of a weak vs of the weak

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Of a weak' is used when referring to a specific weak individual or group, while 'of the weak' is used when talking about weak people in general.

Last updated: March 30, 2024 • 808 views

of a weak

This phrase is correct when referring to a specific weak individual or group.

This phrase is used when talking about a particular weak person or group in a specific context.

Examples:

The teacher took advantage of a weak student's lack of confidence.
The company targeted the product at a weak segment of the market.
She was the protector of a weak and vulnerable child.
He was accused of preying on a weak and defenseless old man.
The politician exploited the situation of a weak community for personal gain.

Show examples from the web [+]

LOUD SIGHS I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king!
Yost complained of a weak bladder.
However, SAS was concerned about investor perception of a weak liquidity position as a result of the significant upfront costs of implementing the 4XNG plan.
But countries in southern Europe, especially Spain, need the support of a weak currency to rebalance externally and return to current-account surpluses.
Ladies and gentlemen, before we go on I must ask that anyone easily impressed or suffering of a weak heart, leave the tent now.
It will pass, as all things born of a weak stomach.
He complained of a weak neck, I said to sit...
The Fed was right to adopt new expansionary monetary measures in the face of a weak US recovery.
In fact, the problem of a weak country, like a weak Europe, is that it does not have strong institutions.
I may have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but at the time, so did the Zygon.
Is that the work of a weak man?
In case of a weak USD, the supplier will receive a compensation for 100 % of the foreign exchange loss resulting from the weakness of the USD.
Is that the work of a weak man?
However, due to pressure on the part of the European Union and because of a weak national government, Slovakia will have to shut down two units of the nuclear power station at Jaslovské Bohunice by 2008.
Eliminate the final 2 ml of solvent with the aid of a weak current of nitrogen; then add 2-4 ml n-heptane.
The guarantee enables them to insure against loss suffered as a result of a weak dollar while, to a certain extent, making gains if the dollar is strong.
I may have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the stomach and heart of a king.
Do the advocates of a weak policy believe that such a flood will yield more fish?
Don't take advantage of a weak old lady, you band of criminals!
We must not forget that the current strength of the euro as a world currency is also a result of a weak dollar - it is not all down to the strength of the euro itself.

Alternatives:

of a vulnerable
of a feeble
of a frail
of a delicate
of a powerless

of the weak

This phrase is correct when referring to weak people in general.

This phrase is used when talking about weak individuals or groups in a general sense.