a poor effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a poor effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an attempt or performance that is lacking in quality or effectiveness. Example: "The team's presentation was a poor effort, lacking the necessary research and clarity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

A poor effort, Apple.

The Guardian - Tech

She called it "a poor effort to save face".

The Guardian

Vicente shoots low and hard, but it's a poor effort that Gavanon saves easily.

The Guardian - Sport

E-mail messages to that effect, he said, were a "poor effort to get Armstrong's attention".

The New York Times

Neymar takes the free-kick; a poor effort which goes wide off the head of Rakitic.

The Guardian - Sport

But a poor effort over the next six weeks of internationals would now suggest that the Samoan slip was indicative of a deeper rot in the Wallaby system.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

However, Norwegian doctors seem to have a poor effort-reward balance as 19%9595% CI 13.3-25.6) han an ERI ratio greater than one, compared with 5.6%9595% CI 1.0-10.2) of high-skilled Norwegian white collar workers [ 30].

BMC Health Services Research

Horschel can't knock in his saver, either, a very poor effort from a short distance.

The Guardian - Sport

England didn't do that and there was only one line break, which was Billy Vunipola from a standing start - that's a really poor effort.

BBC

Worst fans Only 84 Barnet fans making the short trip to Priestfield was a very poor effort, especially considering the Gills had taken over 1,000 to Underhill for a midweek fixture earlier in the season.

The Guardian - Sport

He politely declined an invitation to choose the more likely of his pair, Telescope and Snow Sky, but felt Telescope might be excused an unusually poor effort last time at Royal Ascot.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing, follow up the statement "a poor effort" with specific reasons why the effort was lacking, as it provides constructive feedback.

Common error

Avoid using "a poor effort" as a blanket statement without providing context. Instead, specify which aspects of the effort were inadequate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a poor effort" functions as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, describing something that was attempted or performed with a lack of quality or effectiveness. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Sport

38%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a poor effort" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something attempted with inadequate quality or effectiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's readily usable in various writing contexts. It's most frequently found in news and media, often used to critique performances in sports, politics, or academic settings. Remember to be specific and constructive when using this phrase, avoiding vague or unsubstantiated criticism. Alternatives like "'subpar attempt'" or "'lackluster performance'" can provide nuanced ways to express similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A subpar attempt

Substitutes 'poor' with 'subpar', implying slightly below average quality.

A deficient endeavor

Replaces 'effort' with 'endeavor' and 'poor' with 'deficient', suggesting a lack of essential qualities.

A lackluster performance

Focuses on the resulting performance rather than the effort itself, implying a lack of enthusiasm or energy.

An inadequate undertaking

Replaces 'effort' with 'undertaking' and 'poor' with 'inadequate', emphasizing the insufficiency of the attempt.

A feeble attempt

Emphasizes the weakness or ineffectiveness of the effort.

A disappointing showing

Shifts focus to the disappointment caused by the poor effort.

A weak showing

Similar to 'lackluster performance', but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the inadequacy.

A second-rate try

Uses 'second-rate' to describe the quality of the attempt.

A sorry showing

Emphasizes the regret or pity associated with the poor effort.

A pathetic showing

Implies the effort was so poor as to be contemptible.

FAQs

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

You can use "a poor effort" to describe something that was attempted but did not meet expectations. For instance, "The team's presentation was "a poor effort" due to lack of preparation."

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

Alternatives include "'subpar attempt'", "'deficient endeavor'", or "'lackluster performance'", depending on the context.

Is it always negative to describe something as "a poor effort"?

Yes, describing something as "a poor effort" is generally negative, as it implies a lack of quality or effectiveness. However, it can be used constructively to identify areas for improvement.

What's the difference between "a poor effort" and "a failed attempt"?

"A poor effort" indicates the attempt was low quality, while "a failed attempt" simply means it didn't succeed. You can have a well-executed attempt that fails, or "a poor effort" that also fails.