a poor host

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a poor host" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who does not provide adequate hospitality or fails to make guests feel welcome. Example: "Despite the beautiful setting, the party was disappointing because the host was a poor host, neglecting to engage with the guests."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Some U.N. diplomats complained that the Bush administration had exacerbated the problem by acting as a poor host, delaying a visa request for the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and preventing the president of Cuba's National Assembly, Ricardo Alarcon, from attending a meeting of international parliamentarians on the eve of the summit.

The Washington Post

The opossum, on the other hand, which is a poor host for the bacterium, doesn't handle degraded land too well and moves on - potentially leading to an increase in disease transmission.

BBC

The major endotoxin component of the gram negative cell, the lipid A portion of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS), elicits a poor host cytokine response for Francisella pathogens [36], [38].

Plosone

Alternatively, VCP depletion may create a poor host for Salmonella replication in SCVs.

Cell Host and Microbe

This finding is novel but not surprising because the occurrence of ≥2 sites of infection usually indicates a severe, secondary or nosocomial infection and/or a poor host immunity, all of which are associated with a poor outcome [ 22].

BMC Infectious Diseases

For example, while a low bark water-retention capacity of a given tree species may render it a poor host in a xeric habitat, the same tree species may be a good host in a mesic habitat.

AoB PLANTS

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Under this low overlapping period, conditions for infection of Host 2 from Host 1 were between-host β e ≥ 0.01, i ≥ 1, and condition for infection of Host 1 from Host 2 were between-host β e ≥ 0.02, i ≥ 5, again underlining that Host 2 is a poorer host and, hence, a poorer inoculum source than Host 1.

Evolutionary Applications

These results reflect that melon is a poorer host for CMV multiplication and transmission than tomato.

Evolutionary Applications

A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the virus genome accelerated its replication in the relatively common mosquito Aedes albopictus, usually a poorer host than Ae. aegypti mosquitoes (5 ).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Also, melon shares with most vegetables and weeds the trait of being a poorer host of CMV-satRNA than tomato and other species from the Solanaceae (García-Arenal and Palukaitis 1999; Betancourt et al. 2011).

Evolutionary Applications

Furthermore, the tobacco cultivar used in this study is a relatively poor host plant for both whitefly cryptic species [8].

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a biological host, be specific about the aspect of "poor" performance, such as low replication rate or weak immune response.

Common error

Avoid using "a poor host" when you mean "a needy guest". The host is the entity providing resources, while the guest receives them. Using the wrong term can confuse your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a poor host" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'poor' modifies the noun 'host'. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

71%

News & Media

26%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a poor host" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe inadequacy in a hosting role, be it social, biological, or metaphorical. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is applicable across various domains, with a predominant usage in science and news media. While synonyms like "an inadequate host" or "an inhospitable host" exist, the specific context dictates the most appropriate choice. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about the hosting aspect and avoid confusing it with the role of a guest.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an inadequate host

Focuses on the insufficiency of the hosting, emphasizing a lack of necessary qualities.

a deficient host

Highlights a specific lacking or shortfall in the host's ability to support.

a substandard host

Indicates that the host does not meet the required or expected level of quality.

an inhospitable host

Emphasizes the lack of warmth and welcoming behavior from the host.

a bad host

A more general term for someone who is not good at hosting.

an ungracious host

Highlights a lack of courtesy and politeness from the host.

a stingy host

Focuses on the host's unwillingness to spend money or resources on their guests.

a neglectful host

Implies that the host fails to take care of the guests' needs.

an incompetent host

Focuses on the host's lack of skill or ability to manage the hosting duties effectively.

a weak host

Suggests the host lacks the strength or resources to adequately support the guest or system.

FAQs

What does "a poor host" mean in a biological context?

In biology, "a poor host" refers to an organism that does not support the survival or reproduction of a parasite or pathogen effectively. This could be due to a strong immune response, unsuitable internal environment, or other factors that limit the pathogen's ability to thrive.

How can I use "a poor host" in a sentence about a social event?

When describing a social event, you can use "a poor host" to indicate that someone did not provide adequate hospitality or make guests feel welcome. For example, "The party was disappointing because the host was "a poor host", neglecting to engage with the guests and failing to provide sufficient refreshments."

What are some synonyms for "a poor host" in a social setting?

In a social context, alternatives to "a poor host" include "an inadequate host", "an inhospitable host", or simply "a bad host". The choice depends on the specific aspect of the hosting that was lacking.

Is it correct to say "poorer host" instead of "a poor host"?

While "poorer host" is grammatically correct, it implies a comparison between two hosts. It's suitable when contrasting the abilities of different hosts. "A poor host" is a general statement about a single host's inadequacy.