as poorly as possible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as poorly as possible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or performance that is done in the least effective or least skilled manner. Example: "He approached the project as poorly as possible, resulting in numerous mistakes and a lack of coherence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He might have a rooting interest in seeing Mr. Gingrich do as poorly as possible, which could allow Mr. Santorum to cast himself as the most viable alternative to Mr. Romney.

The New York Times

Thus, stop-point orders could be scored from 0 to 28; a sequence ordered perfectly would receive a score of 0 and a sequence ordered as poorly as possible would receive a score of 28.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

And immigrant workers will face the brunt of this even more as companies use their citizenship status as a way to treat them as poorly as possible.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Against that unsettled backdrop, Inter started their game about as poorly as it was possible to do.

The Guardian - Sport

If you have already reacted poorly, apologize as soon as possible; yes, that means now.

WikiHow

"It lacked an integrated vision and security initiatives were often poorly coordinated, inefficient and not as effective as possible".

The New York Times

As little as possible.

Independent

As soon as possible.

The New York Times

"As early as possible".

The New York Times

Butch Otter" as often as possible.

The New York Times

As quickly as possible.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as poorly as possible", ensure the context clearly indicates a deliberate or unintentional lack of quality. It often implies a negative outcome or consequence.

Common error

Avoid using "as poorly as possible" when you mean 'as quickly as possible' or 'as soon as possible'. The phrase explicitly refers to quality, not speed or timing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as poorly as possible" functions as an adverbial modifier, describing how an action is performed. Ludwig examples show its use in evaluating the manner of performance and contrasting it with desired outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as poorly as possible" functions as an adverbial phrase, indicating the lowest level of skill or quality in performing an action. While grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is relatively rare, appearing mostly in News & Media, Scientific articles and WikiHow guides. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly suggests a lack of quality, either intentional or unintentional. Consider alternatives like "in the worst possible way" or "as badly as can be" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the worst possible way

Focuses on the manner of execution, intensifying the negativity.

as badly as can be

Highlights the extreme degree of poorness or inadequacy.

to the lowest standard imaginable

Emphasizes that the standard achieved is exceptionally low.

in a substandard fashion

Indicates that the execution deviates from what is considered acceptable or normal

with the least skill

Concentrates on the lack of ability involved

in the most inept manner

Highlights the incompetence and clumsiness of the execution

as deficiently as feasible

Stresses that the action is weak in terms of meeting requirements.

with minimal competence

Draws attention to the fact that there's only a small amount of skill shown

in an inferior style

Suggests a way of carrying out something that is of low quality.

to the poorest level

Puts the emphasis on the fact that the level achieved is not good.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "as poorly as possible" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "in the least effective manner", "to the lowest standard imaginable", or "with minimal competence". These options maintain the meaning while elevating the tone.

What's the difference between "as poorly as possible" and "as badly as possible"?

While similar, "as poorly as possible" emphasizes the quality or skill of the action, whereas "as badly as possible" focuses more on the negative result or outcome.

In what situations would I use "as poorly as possible"?

Use "as poorly as possible" to describe an action or performance that is intentionally or unintentionally executed with a lack of skill or quality, often leading to undesirable results.

Are there any humorous or sarcastic ways to use "as poorly as possible"?

Yes, the phrase can be used sarcastically to humorously criticize someone's efforts. For example, "He managed the project as poorly as possible, and now it's a disaster."