a poor choice

USAGE SUMMARY

"a poor choice" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It describes an action or decision that is not satisfactory or beneficial. Example: He made a poor choice in investing all his money in that risky stock.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A poor choice.

The Guardian

What a poor choice of words.

The New York Times

"It was a poor choice of words".

The New York Times

But obviously a poor choice".

The Guardian - Sport

It is a poor choice.

The Guardian - Opinion

And mashed potato is a poor choice of vegetable accompaniment.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In most restaurants, seafood stews often make a poor choice.

The New York Times

It has turned out to be a poor choice".

The New York Times

"He's made a poor choice on a poor day.

The Guardian - Sport

On paper, Berg is a poor choice for the material.

The Guardian - Film

It was a poor choice of costume and I apologise".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a poor choice", consider the specific aspect of the choice you want to emphasize. Is it the lack of wisdom, the unfortunate outcome, or the flawed judgment? Choose synonyms or related phrases that align with your intended nuance to strengthen your writing.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something is "a poor choice" without explaining why. Provide specific details or reasons to support your claim and make your argument more convincing. For example, instead of saying "Investing in that company was a poor choice", specify "Investing in that company was a poor choice because their financial reports showed declining profits and increasing debt".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a poor choice" functions as a nominal phrase, where 'poor' is an adjective modifying the noun 'choice'. It serves to qualify a decision or selection as being inadequate, unfavorable, or ill-advised. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely recognized and used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a poor choice" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a decision or selection that is considered inadequate or undesirable. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage. It is adaptable across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal business settings. When using "a poor choice", it is best practice to provide context and explain why the decision was suboptimal. Alternatives include phrases like "an unwise decision" or "an unfortunate selection". The frequency of this expression is very common, indicating its wide acceptance and use in the English language. The most authoritative sources using this expression include The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unwise decision

Emphasizes the lack of wisdom or judgment in the decision.

an unfortunate selection

Highlights the negative consequences or bad luck associated with the selection.

a suboptimal option

Focuses on the choice being less than ideal or optimal.

an ill-advised action

Stresses the imprudence or lack of careful consideration behind the action.

a regrettable mistake

Indicates remorse or sorrow over the error in judgment.

a faulty judgment

Points to a flaw or defect in the decision-making process.

a blunder

Implies a significant and often embarrassing error.

a misjudgment

Highlights an error in assessing the situation or making a determination.

an improvident act

Suggests a lack of foresight or planning in the action taken.

an error in judgment

Directly states the presence of a mistake in the decision-making process.

FAQs

How can I use "a poor choice" in a sentence?

You can use "a poor choice" to describe a decision, action, or item that is considered inadequate or undesirable. For example, "Selecting that candidate was "a poor choice" because they lacked the necessary experience".

What are some alternatives to "a poor choice"?

Alternatives to "a poor choice" include "an unwise decision", "an unfortunate selection", or "a suboptimal option", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "a poor choice"?

It's appropriate to use "a poor choice" when you want to express that a decision or selection was not the best option available and has likely led to negative consequences or undesirable outcomes.

What is the difference between "a poor choice" and "a mistake"?

"A poor choice" implies that the decision was not well-considered or optimal, while "a mistake" suggests an error or unintentional action. A mistake may not always be a poor choice, and a poor choice isn't always a mistake. "A poor choice" emphasizes the lack of suitability, whereas a mistake focuses on the error.