a poor match

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a poor match" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two things, such as people, ideas, or items, are not well-suited or compatible with each other. Example: "In the interview, it became clear that his skills were a poor match for the requirements of the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But IBRA's sheepskins proved a poor match for Suharto's cronies.

The New York Times

But late in the game she withdrew, deeming the part a poor match for her voice.

The New York Times - Arts

Of the remaining three, Thomas's physique makes him a poor match for Pujols.

The New York Times - Sports

"I can understand also because I have seen also a poor match.

Independent

Jonny Bairstow could be one of those changes after a poor match in Melbourne.

The Guardian - Sport

The Colonial house, with its stark saltbox lines, seems a poor match for a porch.

The New York Times

That opportunity came at the end of Charlton's best period of a poor match.

The Guardian - Sport

But it proved to be a poor match against a single explosive-laden harbor boat.

The New York Times

The goals were the only saving grace in a poor match.

The New York Times - Sports

The second problem with incremental solutions is that often they are a poor match for problems that are evolving.

Harvard University

This is reflected by a poor match of autocorrelation function of recorded data and artificially generated time series.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a poor match", ensure the context clearly defines what two elements are being compared and why they are incompatible. This adds clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the severity of the "a poor match". Use precise language to describe the degree of incompatibility instead of resorting to hyperbole, which can weaken your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a poor match" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "poor" modifies the noun "match". It describes a state of incompatibility or unsuitability between two entities. Ludwig AI examples show its use in describing mismatched skills, ill-suited combinations, or discordant pairings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a poor match" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe incompatibility or unsuitability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. When writing, ensure clarity by explicitly stating the elements being compared and the reasons for the mismatch. While various alternatives exist, such as "an unsuitable pairing" or "a mismatch", "a poor match" provides a clear and direct way to convey a lack of compatibility. Be aware of overstating the mismatch, as exaggerating the incompatibility may diminish your credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unsuitable pairing

Focuses on the lack of suitability between two elements that are paired together.

an inadequate fit

Highlights the insufficiency in the connection or alignment between two things.

an ill-suited combination

Emphasizes the negative consequence of combining two incompatible elements.

a deficient alignment

Indicates a flaw or inadequacy in how two things are aligned or coordinated.

a mismatch

A shorter, more direct way of saying two things do not correspond well.

an improper correlation

Highlights that the correlation between two things is incorrect or inappropriate.

an unharmonious blend

Suggests a lack of harmony or agreement when two things are mixed together.

a discordant pairing

Indicates a lack of agreement or harmony between two things that are paired.

a clashing combination

Emphasizes the conflict or opposition between two elements.

a bad pairing

Similar to "a poor match" but slightly stronger in its negative connotation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a poor match" to describe situations where two things are not well-suited. For example, "His skills were "a poor match" for the job requirements" or "The colors were "a poor match" for the room's decor".

What are some alternatives to using "a poor match"?

Alternatives include "an unsuitable pairing", "an inadequate fit", or simply "a mismatch" depending on the context.

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

Yes, describing something as "a poor match" inherently carries a negative connotation, suggesting that the two elements being compared are incompatible or unsuitable for each other.

What makes something "a poor match"?

Factors contributing to "a poor match" can vary. It might be due to conflicting characteristics, inadequate skills, or differing objectives that prevent two things from working well together.