are performing poorly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are performing poorly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is not meeting expected standards or is underperforming. Example: "The sales team are performing poorly this quarter, and we need to address the issues affecting their productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

If it's performance of staff, it would be general in the sense that you would know that in reproductive health we are performing poorly because our indicators are poor, not looking at an individual performance".

Human Resources for Health

The new system is aimed at ensuring that well-performing organisations continue to succeed, while those that are performing poorly may be allowed to fail.

The Guardian

But computers meant to manage the battle are performing poorly.

The New York Times

However, most of these charco dams are performing poorly.

Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A-B-C

While most consumer magazines are performing poorly on newsstands, health magazines are attracting more readers each year.

The New York Times - Health

AT&T has hinted that it may sell off parts of its business that are performing poorly.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Algorithm performance was analysed to identify portions of the algorithm that were performing poorly.

BMJ Open

More than 40,000 civil servants who are deemed to be performing poorly will be at risk of losing their jobs under a tougher performance management regime being introduced by the government.

The Guardian

Even Gonzalez is performing poorly.

The New York Times - Sports

Overall, MIPS has been performing poorly.

Harvard Business Review

Before the latest takeover speculation began, the stock had been performing poorly compared with rivals.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing performance issues, be specific about the metrics or criteria that the subject is not meeting. For example, instead of saying "The marketing campaigns are performing poorly", specify "The marketing campaigns are performing poorly in terms of lead generation and conversion rates".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "are performing poorly" without providing context or specific examples. This can lead to confusion and a lack of actionable insights. Always support the statement with data or evidence to demonstrate the underperformance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are performing poorly" functions as a descriptive phrase indicating a state of underachievement or substandard performance. Ludwig examples show it applies broadly across subjects like staff performance, computer systems, and even student progress, showcasing its ability to describe a state of deficiency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are performing poorly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something is not meeting expected standards or is underperforming. As shown by Ludwig, its versatility allows application across various domains from business and finance to education and technology. While semantically similar alternatives like "are underperforming" or "are not meeting expectations" exist, this phrase maintains a clear and direct way of communicating negative performance assessments. Ludwig AI confirms its general correctness, with a very high frequency of use in News & Media and Science contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are underperforming

Focuses directly on not meeting performance expectations.

are not meeting expectations

Directly states a failure to satisfy anticipated outcomes.

are not up to par

Emphasizes a failure to reach a standard level of quality or performance.

are falling short

Suggests a deficiency in achieving a desired goal or target.

are failing to deliver

Highlights a lack of expected results or outcomes.

are not measuring up

Implies a failure to reach a required standard or benchmark.

are proving inadequate

Focuses on a demonstrated lack of sufficient quality or ability.

are not succeeding

Broadly indicates a lack of positive results or accomplishments.

are yielding unsatisfactory results

Highlights the production of undesirable or insufficient outcomes.

are doing badly

Offers a more informal way to express poor performance.

FAQs

How can I use "are performing poorly" in a sentence?

You can use "are performing poorly" to describe a variety of situations where something is not meeting expectations. For example, "The sales figures are performing poorly this quarter" or "The new software updates are performing poorly in user testing".

What are some alternatives to saying "are performing poorly"?

Alternatives to "are performing poorly" include "are underperforming", "are failing to deliver", or "are not meeting expectations". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "are performing poorly" or "are performing badly"?

Both "are performing poorly" and "are performing badly" are grammatically correct, but "are performing poorly" is generally considered more formal and professional. "Are performing badly" ("are doing badly") is acceptable in informal contexts.

What does it mean when someone says something "is performing poorly"?

When something "is performing poorly", it means that it is not achieving the desired results or meeting the expected standards. This could refer to anything from a business's financial performance to a student's academic performance.