a very low mark

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very low mark" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing grades or evaluations, particularly in an academic context. Example: "After reviewing the exam results, I was disappointed to see that I received a very low mark in mathematics."

✓ Grammatically correct

Education

Evaluation

Assessment

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

She had received a very low mark, barely passed.

The Guardian

So on style, I would have to give this speech a very low mark out of 10.

The Guardian - Opinion

Fifty-eight percent gave them average marks, while twenty percent gave the agents a very low mark.

The New York Times

They did not work on the story creation, required constant help from the teacher and received a very low mark.

Smart Learning Environments

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

One notes that for model variants with a very low market share, some of the predicted values are widely off the mark.

European Transport Research Review

His people were giving him very low marks as a leader and manager, and he wasn't able to bring his team together to achieve results.

Forbes

"The Belgians get very low marks for their efforts to develop a political elite and much of the country's post-independence chaos is due to this Belgian failure".

The New York Times

In this test only the two passed, and they had very low marks.

The New Yorker

Saying the position had been created for him by Mayor John V. Lindsay, Mr. Plimpton said: "Giuliani took the fireworks out of Chinatown, so he has very low marks.

The New York Times

Cook over the lowest possible heat or in a very low oven (120C/250C/gas mark ½) for at least two hours, until the meat is very tender.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To make clarified butter, melt butter gently in a saucepan or in a Pyrex measure in a very low oven, at 150°C/300°F/gas mark 2. Leave it to stand for a few minutes, then spoon the crusty white layer of salt particles off the top.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing academic results, use "a very low mark" to clearly and directly communicate poor performance. Ensure the context is clear, specifying the subject or area where the low mark was received.

Common error

Avoid using "a very low mark" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler phrases like "I did poorly" or "I failed" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very low mark" functions as a noun phrase, where "very low" modifies the noun "mark". It denotes the quality or level of a specific score or grade.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a very low mark" is a noun phrase used to describe an unsatisfactory score or grade, commonly in academic or evaluation contexts. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. While it appears across different sources, from news media to scientific articles, it's more tailored for neutral to formal settings. When communicating a poor assessment outcome, consider alternatives such as "a failing grade" or "an unsatisfactory result" to provide subtle differences in emphasis. When using "a very low mark", clarity is key – make sure to specify the context where the mark was received.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a failing grade

Focuses specifically on the outcome of an assessment being a failure.

a poor score

Highlights the numerical result of a test or evaluation as being unsatisfactory.

a barely passing grade

Indicates the performance just meets the minimal requirements to pass.

a dreadful mark

Emphasizes that the mark is extremely bad or unpleasant.

a substandard evaluation

Emphasizes that the assessment did not meet the expected quality or standard.

an unsatisfactory result

Indicates that the outcome of a task or evaluation was not acceptable.

a negligible grade

Highlights that the grade is so low that is almost irrelevant.

a deficient performance

Stresses the lack of competence or skill demonstrated in a particular instance.

a weak showing

Suggests a performance that lacked strength or effectiveness.

a disappointing outcome

Focuses on the feeling of letdown resulting from the poor performance.

FAQs

How can I use "a very low mark" in a sentence?

You can use "a very low mark" to describe an unsatisfactory grade or score. For example, "She received "a very low mark" on her final exam".

What's the difference between "a very low mark" and "a failing grade"?

"A very low mark" is a general term for a poor score, while "a failing grade" specifically indicates that the score is below the passing threshold.

What can I say instead of "a very low mark"?

You can use alternatives like "a poor score", "an unsatisfactory result", or "a deficient performance depending on the context.

Is "a very low mark" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, ""a very low mark"" is suitable for formal writing, especially in academic or professional contexts where you need to objectively report performance or results.