a poor combination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a poor combination" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe two or more elements that do not work well together or are not effective when combined. Example: "The new marketing strategy proved to be a poor combination of outdated techniques and modern trends, leading to disappointing results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

'Excessive drinking and gambling are a poor combination,' he states.

The Guardian

The warning on profits coupled with the delayed strategic review was a "poor combination", said Shiret.

The Guardian - Business

(The First Lady, hard to miss, was wearing a dress that looked like a poor combination of both Glinda and the Wicked Witch's — not her best).

The New Yorker

Moreover, a poor combination of additives to PCMs can increase interface thermal resistance and sedimentation and reduce the performance of the thermal storage without enhancing the thermal conductivity of PCMs.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

There were also financial repercussions because the accused had racked up serious debt on my credit card, I was unable to work at a normal capacity, and because I was a straight-dope barely-functional alcoholic struggling with a recent PTSD diagnosis, which is a seriously poor combination of things to be when attempting to make good choices for yourself.

Vice

There were also financial repercussions, because the accused had racked up serious debt on my credit card, because I was unable to work at a normal capacity, and because I was a straight-dope barely-functional alcoholic struggling with a recent PTSD diagnosis, which is a seriously poor combination of things to be when attempting to make good choices for yourself.

Vice

Biological therapy was introduced only in 7 cases during the first year of the follow-up, in patients with a poor response to combination therapy.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Second, a poor prognosis in combination with withholding the only possibly effective treatment could hinder the feasibility of randomisation and a control group, and could therefore legitimatise the acceptance of suboptimal evidence.

BMJ Open

Davies et al. reported a poor response to combination therapy with rituximab, low-dose intravenous cyclophosphamide and intravenous glucocorticoids in an open-label study of 18 patients with Class III V lupus nephritis who had failed conventional therapy.

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

The combination of a poor 2014-15 seanon, an extremely dry early season (October to December) and forecasts for continuing hot and drier-than-average conditions through mid-2016, suggest a scenario of extensive, regional-scale crop failure", said the FAO.

The Guardian

Yet a combination of a poor wall and Sommer's error allowed a Luiz free-kick to find the bottom corner in the fourth minute of added time.  .

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a poor combination", ensure the context clearly identifies what elements are being combined and why their combination is undesirable. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a poor combination" without specifying the elements involved. Vague statements lack impact. Instead of saying "Their strategy was a poor combination", specify what made it so: "Their strategy, a poor combination of aggressive marketing and weak customer service, ultimately failed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a poor combination" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a situation or entity resulting from the combination of multiple elements, as shown in Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a poor combination" is a versatile phrase used to negatively assess situations where combined elements produce undesirable results. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While it appears across different contexts, it's predominantly found in news, science and formal writing. For impactful writing, be specific about the combined elements. Remember to explore alternatives like "an unfortunate pairing" or "a detrimental mix" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unfortunate pairing

Focuses on the regrettable nature of the association between two things.

a detrimental mix

Emphasizes the harmful or damaging effects of the combination.

a recipe for disaster

Highlights the potential for severe negative consequences.

an ill-advised blend

Indicates a lack of good judgment in creating the combination.

a flawed formula

Suggests a fundamental problem in the combination's design or composition.

a losing proposition

Implies that the combination is destined to fail or produce negative results.

a bad match

Highlights the incompatibility of the elements being combined.

an unholy alliance

Suggests a morally questionable or inappropriate combination.

a toxic synergy

Implies that the combined effect is significantly more harmful than the individual elements.

an incompatible mixture

Focuses on the elements not being able to exist together harmoniously.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a poor combination" in a sentence?

To effectively use "a poor combination", clearly state the elements that form the combination and explain why they don't work well together. For example, "The project suffered from "a poor combination" of unrealistic deadlines and insufficient resources".

What are some alternatives to saying "a poor combination"?

Alternatives to "a poor combination" include "an unfortunate pairing", "a detrimental mix", or "a flawed formula", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more formal to use "a poor combination" or are there better alternatives for professional writing?

While "a poor combination" is acceptable, more formal alternatives like "an ill-advised blend" or "an incompatible mixture" might be preferable in professional writing to convey a more sophisticated tone.

When is it appropriate to use "a recipe for disaster" instead of "a poor combination"?

Use "a recipe for disaster" when you want to emphasize the likelihood of significant negative outcomes resulting from the combination, highlighting the potential for failure or catastrophe, while "a poor combination" simply indicates ineffectiveness.