a poor decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a poor decision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when evaluating a choice or action that is considered unwise or not well thought out. Example: "After reviewing the consequences, it became clear that investing in that failing company was a poor decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I made a poor decision.

The New York Times - Sports

A poor decision.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was a poor decision".

The Guardian - Sport

But it's a poor decision.

The Guardian - Sport

"I thought it was a poor decision.

The Guardian - Sport

It was just a poor decision".

The New York Times - Sports

That was a poor decision from Farrell.

The Guardian - Sport

Once more, it was a poor decision.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was a poor decision by us".

The New York Times - Sports

It was a poor decision, and he agrees with it".

The New York Times - Sports

"That is a poor decision," thunders Mikey Holding on Sky.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a poor decision", provide context or explain why the decision was poor to give the reader a clearer understanding. For example, specify the consequences or the factors that made it unfavorable.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "A poor decision was made." Instead, specify who made the decision to maintain clarity and accountability: "The manager made "a poor decision"" is a stronger, more direct statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a poor decision" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "poor" modifies the noun "decision". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and frequently used. It generally serves as the object or subject complement in a sentence, describing the quality of a choice or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a poor decision" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase for negatively evaluating a choice or action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and high frequency. It's most often found in news and formal writing, carrying a neutral to professional tone. For alternatives, consider "an unwise choice" or "an unfortunate judgment". When writing, provide context for why a decision is deemed poor. Avoid passive constructions that obscure who made the decision. Understanding these nuances will enhance your writing and ensure your message is both clear and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unwise choice

Replaces 'decision' with 'choice' and 'poor' with 'unwise', emphasizing the lack of wisdom in the selection.

an unfortunate judgment

Substitutes 'decision' with 'judgment' and 'poor' with 'unfortunate', highlighting the negative consequences of the assessment.

a regrettable action

Replaces 'decision' with 'action' and 'poor' with 'regrettable', focusing on the sorrow associated with the deed.

an ill-advised move

Replaces 'decision' with 'move' and 'poor' with 'ill-advised', conveying a sense of imprudence in the maneuver.

a flawed determination

Substitutes 'decision' with 'determination' and 'poor' with 'flawed', indicating a defect in the resolution.

a mistaken course of action

Replaces 'decision' with 'course of action' and 'poor' with 'mistaken', suggesting an error in the selected route.

an improvident step

Substitutes 'decision' with 'step' and 'poor' with 'improvident', emphasizing the lack of foresight in the measure.

a misguided selection

Replaces 'decision' with 'selection' and 'poor' with 'misguided', focusing on the misdirection of the picking.

a calamitous resolution

Replaces 'decision' with 'resolution' and 'poor' with 'calamitous', stressing the disastrous outcome of the settlement.

an error in judgment

Phrases the concept as an error rather than a quality of the decision itself, focusing on the act of judging.

FAQs

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

You can use "a poor decision" to describe an action that was unwise or had negative consequences. For example: "Hiring that candidate was "a poor decision", as they lacked the necessary skills."

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

Alternatives include "an unwise choice", "an unfortunate judgment", or "a regrettable action", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a bad decision" or "a poor decision"?

Both "a bad decision" and "a poor decision" are acceptable. "Bad" is more general, while "poor" often implies a lack of judgment or foresight. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What makes a decision qualify as "a poor decision"?

A decision is considered "a poor decision" when it leads to undesirable outcomes, demonstrates a lack of careful consideration, or goes against available evidence. It often involves overlooking important factors or misjudging potential consequences.