a poor driver

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a poor driver" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who lacks skill or ability in driving. Example: "After watching her struggle to parallel park, I realized she is a poor driver."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Skinner explained, "He's not embarrassed that he's a poor driver — he's running from a D.U.I".

The New Yorker

This approach resulted in the identification of a "poor driver" group which even included some individuals exhibiting relatively subtle changes in their driving performance.

European Transport Research Review

Not a single driver from the fit group was evaluated as a poor driver whereas fourteen of the 148 "unfit" drivers (9.5%) were.

BMC Geriatrics

We observed a threefold increase in the risk of been a poor driver if TMT-A ≥54 sec orTMT-B ≥150 (CI95% 1.3 to 7.0; p = 0.007).

BMC Geriatrics

Of each ten patients who would then undergo the on-road evaluation, only one would be considered to be a poor driver (sensitivity = 63.6%, specificity = 64.9%, PPV = 9.5%, NPV = 96.9%, PLR = 1.81, NLR = 0.56).

BMC Geriatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Only one "not-poor-driver" out of 48 was classified as a "poor-driver" by the test and three "poor-drivers" out of 8 as "not-poor-drivers".

European Transport Research Review

Only two "not-poor-driver" out of 48 were classified as a "poor-driver" by the test and four "poor-drivers" out of 8 as "not-poor-drivers".

European Transport Research Review

widehat{pi}=frac{1}{1+{e}^{-left -12.49311+0.1654765 ageright)}} (3)Where π is the probability of the outcome of interest (i.e. probability of being a "poor-driver").

European Transport Research Review

widehat{pi}=frac{1}{1+{e}^{-left -12.91376+0.1067349 Tscore_ cognitiveright)}} (4)Where π is the probability of the outcome of interest (i.e. probability of being a "poor-driver").

European Transport Research Review

widehat{pi}=frac{1}{1+{e}^{-left -4.591905+0.019135 ufov 3right)}} (2)Where π is the probability of the outcome of interest (i.e. probability of being a "poor-driver").

European Transport Research Review

("Don't ask me directions!" Max barked at his poor driver, a Harvard student, when he lost his way).

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "a poor driver", provide context or examples of their driving behavior to support your assessment. For instance, mention specific incidents or habits that demonstrate their lack of skill.

Common error

Avoid assuming that someone is "a poor driver" based on a single mistake or incident. Driving performance can vary, and one error doesn't necessarily indicate consistent incompetence. Instead, focus on patterns of behavior.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a poor driver" functions as a noun phrase, where "poor" is an adjective modifying the noun "driver". It serves to describe a person who lacks proficiency or skill in driving. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

60%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a poor driver" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe someone who lacks competence in driving. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While the phrase itself is straightforward, it's important to use it judiciously, providing context and avoiding overgeneralizations. Alternatives like "an unskilled driver" or "a bad driver" may be suitable depending on the specific context. Sources on Ludwig shows the phrase used in a mix of news and scientific contexts, indicating its broad applicability while emphasizing that it should be used neutrally.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bad driver

A more direct and common way to describe someone who drives poorly.

an unskilled driver

Focuses on the lack of developed skills in driving.

an incompetent driver

Highlights a general lack of competence behind the wheel.

a deficient driver

Emphasizes a lack or shortage of necessary driving abilities.

a substandard driver

Indicates that the driver's performance is below the expected standard.

a hazardous driver

Focuses on the dangerous nature of the driver's actions.

a dangerous driver

Similar to hazardous, but emphasizes the potential for harm.

a reckless driver

Highlights the driver's disregard for safety and rules.

a clumsy driver

Emphasizes the lack of coordination and finesse in driving.

an inexperienced driver

Highlights the driver's lack of experience, which may contribute to poor driving.

FAQs

What are some alternative ways to say "a poor driver"?

You can use alternatives like "an unskilled driver", "an incompetent driver", or "a bad driver" depending on the context.

How can I identify someone as "a poor driver" without being offensive?

Instead of directly labeling someone as "a poor driver", focus on describing specific driving behaviors that are unsafe or inefficient. For example, you could say "they often tailgate" or "they have trouble staying in their lane."

Is it appropriate to use the term "a poor driver" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a poor driver" might be considered informal in certain formal contexts. Alternatives such as "an unskilled driver" or "a driver with deficient skills" may be more suitable. The best choice depends on the specific tone and audience.

What factors might contribute to someone being "a poor driver"?

Several factors can contribute to poor driving, including lack of experience, inadequate training, cognitive impairments, and distractions. It's important to consider these factors rather than simply labeling someone as "a poor driver".