as poorly as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as poorly as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the quality of something negatively, indicating that it is done in a very bad manner relative to something else. Example: "He performed on stage as poorly as he did in rehearsal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

As poorly as they played, it was "only" 20 points.

The Guardian - Sport

"As poorly as you might have played, you're never that poor".

The New York Times - Sports

"By putting as poorly as I did on Thursday, I put myself too far back.

The New York Times - Sports

In the meantime, Tennessee could not continue to shoot as poorly as it had.

The New York Times - Sports

Luckily, Apple didn't do as poorly as analysts expected, and the stock actually fared well.

The New York Times - Tech

Mr. Ferguson added that any time a company "performs as poorly as GMAC, heads would roll".

The New York Times

East Germans now dress as poorly as west Germans in weatherproof jackets and comfy flat shoes.

The Guardian - Opinion

But in a reversal, those discount chains have not done as poorly as department stores.

The New York Times

Matta jokes that Titus filmed practice as poorly as anyone in team history.

The New York Times - Sports

I answered them as poorly as I answered you, I fear.

The New Yorker

"We started out as poorly as you basically could have played.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as poorly as" to draw a direct comparison between two subjects, highlighting the equally substandard quality or performance of both. Be sure the comparison is clear and contextually relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "as poorly as" in situations where a simple negative adjective would suffice. Ensure the comparison adds meaningful nuance rather than unnecessary complexity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as poorly as" functions as a comparative adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to indicate the quality of an action relative to another. It signifies that two actions or performances are of similarly low standard, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as poorly as" is a grammatically correct and frequently used comparative phrase, especially found in news and media, and sports contexts. It effectively draws a negative comparison, indicating two subjects share a similar degree of substandard quality or performance. According to Ludwig, many authoritative sources use it. For variety in writing, alternatives like "equally poorly as" or "not as well as" can be used. When using "as poorly as", ensure the comparison is relevant and adds meaningful insight to the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equally poorly as

Highlights the similarity in poor performance or quality.

just as badly as

Emphasizes the equal degree of negativity in the comparison.

faring just as dismally as

Implies a negative outcome or misfortune in the comparison.

not as well as

Focuses on the lack of quality rather than emphasizing the poorness.

in as bad a way as

Expresses a similarity in the negative manner or condition.

performing no better than

Specifically relates to performance and the lack of improvement.

to the same poor extent as

Focuses on the degree or level of poorness being compared.

on par with the poor quality of

Compares something to an existing standard of poor quality.

suffering the same deficiencies as

Emphasizes the shared shortcomings or flaws.

not up to the level of

Highlights a failure to reach a certain standard.

FAQs

How can I use "as poorly as" in a sentence?

Use "as poorly as" to compare two things that are performing or functioning at a similarly low standard. For example, "The team played "as poorly as" they did last week".

What's a synonym for "as poorly as"?

Synonyms include "just as badly as", "equally poorly as", or "not as well as", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "as poorly as"?

Yes, "as poorly as" is grammatically correct. It is used to make comparisons of quality or performance in a negative context.

What is the difference between "as poorly as" and "as bad as"?

"As poorly as" specifically relates to the manner in which something is done, whereas "as bad as" refers to the state or condition. For example, you might say someone performed "as poorly as" expected, or that their situation is "as bad as" it could be.