a poor result

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a poor result" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It typically refers to an unfavorable or unsatisfactory outcome of a situation or event. It can be used in various contexts, such as in a report, sports commentary, or personal evaluation. Example: "Despite their efforts, the team's performance only led to a poor result in the match."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In fact, that would be a poor result.

The Economist

Plaid Cymru may mount a modest revival after a poor result last time.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Barnsley byelection was a poor result for us and we should be honest about that.

The Guardian - Opinion

8. What would a poor result for Modi mean for investors?

The Washington Post

"It was a poor result, poor performance and giving away bad goals.

Independent

Yes, four hearts doubled would have gone down three, minus 500, for a poor result.

The New York Times - Arts

A poor result might motivate a smoker to quit, or at least identify a condition that should be monitored.

The New York Times

Simon Hughes, the Lib Dem deputy leader said his party had suffered a poor result in Sheffield.

The Guardian

A poor result for the Kirchners would mean that the presidential poll in two years' time would be wide open.

The Economist

A poor result this weekend could turn Mr Zapatero off the whole risky business of pursuing peace.

The Economist

The Cambridge players thought they had a poor result, failing to realize that six clubs, missing two aces, was "unbeatable," assuming a normal lead.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a poor result" to introduce a need for adjustments or corrective actions.

Common error

While "a poor result" is acceptable, consider stronger, more precise language like "suboptimal outcome" or "unfavorable consequence" in formal reports.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a poor result" functions as a noun phrase, where "poor" modifies the noun "result". It typically acts as a subject complement or an object within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a poor result" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that conveys dissatisfaction with an outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It appears in diverse contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific papers, with a slightly more neutral register. When writing, ensure that the criteria for determining "a poor result" are clear and consider more formal alternatives like "suboptimal outcome" or "unfavorable consequence" in professional settings. Be mindful of the difference between "a poor result" (singular) and "poor results" (plural). Related phrases include "an unsatisfactory outcome" and "a disappointing consequence", providing alternative ways to express similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unsatisfactory outcome

Focuses on the lack of satisfaction derived from the result.

a disappointing consequence

Emphasizes the disappointment associated with the consequence.

a substandard performance

Highlights the inadequate quality of the performance.

a failure

A shorter, more direct way of saying the result was not successful.

an unfavorable development

Draws attention to the negative nature of the development.

a negative consequence

Directly indicates that the consequence was negative.

a losing situation

Highlights the loss associated with the situation.

an unproductive effort

Focuses on the lack of productivity in the effort.

a setback

Implies a temporary delay or reversal in progress.

an unfortunate turn of events

Emphasizes the unfortunate nature of the events.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a poor result"?

You can use alternatives like "an unsatisfactory outcome", "a disappointing consequence", or "a substandard performance" depending on the context.

How to use "a poor result" in a sentence?

You can use "a poor result" to describe an undesirable outcome: "The experiment yielded "a poor result", indicating the hypothesis was incorrect."

Which is correct, "a poor result" or "poor results"?

"A poor result" refers to a single instance, while "poor results" refers to multiple instances or a general trend. For example: "The team had "a poor result" in the first game, but improved afterward" vs. "The study showed consistently "poor results" across all participants."

What's the difference between "a poor result" and "a bad result"?

While similar, "a poor result" often implies a deficiency in quality or performance, whereas "a bad result" suggests a negative or undesirable outcome. The choice depends on the specific context of the situation.