are not doing well

USAGE SUMMARY

"are not doing well" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that someone is not doing a good job or is not feeling well. Example: We haven't been able to get any work done lately, and morale is low. We are not doing well.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Detroit Tigers are not doing well.

The New York Times - Sports

The media companies are not doing well either.

The Economist

Readers often worry this means you are not doing well.

The New York Times

The XFL's other partners are not doing well, either.

The New York Times - Sports

"My back and neck are not doing well," he said after carding a 74.

The New York Times

Large predators, on the other hand, are not doing well around the planet.

The New York Times - Science

You have got to stick with the guys even when they are not doing well.

The New York Times

But when you look at the TV you hear what we are not doing well.

The New York Times

Suppose the "rebels" still are not doing well after our arms shipments; then what?

The New Yorker

"Most of the channels are not doing well financially," Jha says.

The Guardian

"I have a lot of schools calling me now to say, 'Our students are not doing well,' " she told me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are not doing well", consider the specific context to ensure it accurately reflects the situation. Choose synonyms like "struggling" or "failing" for more precise meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "are not doing well" as a vague substitute for more specific descriptions. Instead of saying "The business is not doing well", specify the issues: "The business is experiencing declining sales and increasing debt."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not doing well" functions as a descriptive phrase indicating a state of poor performance, health, or general condition. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Academic

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are not doing well" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone or something is experiencing difficulties or not performing as expected. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide use. This phrase is particularly prevalent in news and media, and science contexts, indicating its neutrality and broad applicability. Alternatives like "are struggling" or "are failing" may offer more specific nuances. When using this phrase, avoid overgeneralization by providing specific details about the issues at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are struggling

Emphasizes difficulty and effort in achieving a positive outcome.

are failing

Indicates a lack of success or achievement.

are underperforming

Highlights a failure to meet expectations or standards.

are in poor condition

Focuses on the state of something, particularly health or physical status.

are not thriving

Suggests a lack of growth or positive development.

are suffering

Highlights the experience of pain, distress, or hardship.

are declining

Indicates a downward trend or decrease in quality or quantity.

are having difficulties

A more general way to express problems or challenges.

are in trouble

Suggests a problematic or dangerous situation.

are on the decline

Focuses specifically on a negative trajectory or decreasing state.

FAQs

What does "are not doing well" mean?

The phrase "are not doing well" means that someone or something is not performing as expected or desired, or is experiencing difficulties or problems.

How can I use "are not doing well" in a sentence?

You can use "are not doing well" to describe performance, health, or general condition. For example, "The students "are not doing well" in their math class" or "The economy "is not doing well" this quarter."

What can I say instead of "are not doing well"?

You can use alternatives like "are struggling", "are failing", or "are underperforming" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "are not doing well" or "are doing poorly"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but ""are not doing well"" is generally considered more common and slightly less formal than "are doing poorly".