a poor source of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a poor source of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that does not provide adequate or reliable information, resources, or support. Example: "The article was a poor source of information on the topic, lacking depth and accuracy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

As a result, Dr. Rhyne said, the system is a poor source of data on the trade of biodiverse wildlife.

The New York Times

But an analysis of the nitrogen isotopes in the bone collagen, which indicates the main source of protein in one's diet, suggests they were fed breast milk — a poor source of vitamin D — until they were 2. And assuming the Medicis followed the custom of the time, they would have supplemented the breast milk only with soft bread and apples, which do not contain much of the nutrient.

The New York Times - Science

Although the major nutrient source for more than one-half of the global population, rice is a poor source of essential micronutrients.

Rice

But it does cast doubt on the belief that the U.S. East Coast is a poor source of fossils, Sues says: "It just takes more patience and energy to find fossils on the East Coast, but they are there".

Science Magazine

Though high in protein, groundnut cake is a poor source of essential amino acids like lysine and methionine; but commonly infested with Aspergillus sp., which will produce aflatoxins under favourable conditions (Adebesin et al. 2004).

AMB Express

Rice is the major staple food and source of energy for more than half of the world's population, but the presently grown popular high yielding rice varieties are a poor source of essential micronutrients such as Zn in their polished (white) form (Kennedy et al. 2002; Sharma et al. 2013).

Rice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Regardless of whether you believe porn is moral or immoral, it is without a doubt a poor source of information for how to have real sex with a real, live person.

Huffington Post

Breast milk is a relatively poor source of vitamin D; therefore, in order to maintain an optimal vitamin D status during early infancy, it is essential for the mother to have an adequate vitamin D status during pregnancy [ 11].

BioMed Research International

One explanation is that so-called experts turn out to be, in many situations, a stunningly poor source of expertise.

The New York Times

The koala feeds almost exclusively on Eucalyptus ("gum tree") foliage [ 1] which is a relatively poor source of energy and is also high in toxins [ 2].

BMC Genomics

When used as feeder layer sto support the culture of normal bone marrow cells, the peripheral blood leucocytes of untreated patients are a uniformly poor source of colony stimulating factor (CSF) and fractionation experiments suggest that this is not due merely to a relative scarcity of monocytes.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a poor source of", clearly specify what the source is lacking. For example, instead of just saying "the website is a poor source", specify "the website is a poor source of reliable information".

Common error

Avoid using "a poor source of" without providing context or explanation. Simply stating something is a poor source without detailing why can weaken your argument and leave the reader unconvinced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a poor source of" functions as a qualifier, typically followed by a noun, to describe something lacking in quality or quantity. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts, from scientific data to news information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a poor source of" is a common phrase used to describe something that is inadequate or unreliable. Ludwig AI validates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, primarily in scientific and news-related content. It's essential to provide specific reasons why a source is considered poor to enhance clarity and strengthen arguments. Alternatives such as "an unreliable source of" or "a deficient source of" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an inadequate origin of

Replaces 'poor' with 'inadequate', suggesting a lack of sufficiency in the source.

a deficient provider of

Emphasizes the lack of essential qualities in the source.

a substandard supplier of

Highlights that the source does not meet the required quality or standard.

a weak contributor to

Focuses on the limited contribution the source makes.

a limited resource for

Indicates the source offers restricted or scarce information or materials.

an unreliable foundation for

Suggests the source cannot be depended upon for accurate information or support.

a questionable basis for

Implies that the source is doubtful or uncertain.

a scant reservoir of

Emphasizes the limited quantity available from the source.

a paltry stock of

Highlights that the source contains a meager or insignificant amount.

a negligible wellspring of

Indicates the source is virtually insignificant or unimportant.

FAQs

How can I use "a poor source of" in a sentence?

You can use "a poor source of" to describe something that doesn't provide adequate or reliable information, resources, or support. For example, "The blog was "a poor source of" data due to its outdated statistics".

What are some alternatives to "a poor source of"?

Alternatives include "an unreliable source of", "a deficient source of", or "an inadequate source of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "a poor source of information" or "a bad source of information"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "A poor source of information" often implies inadequacy or deficiency, while "a bad source of information" might suggest inaccuracy or untrustworthiness.

What's the difference between "a poor source of" and "a limited source of"?

"A poor source of" suggests that the source is inadequate or unreliable, whereas "a limited source of" simply means that the source provides a restricted quantity or range of something.