began poorly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "began poorly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the initial phase of an event, project, or performance that did not go well. Example: "The presentation began poorly, with technical difficulties that disrupted the flow of information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

The experiment began poorly.

The New York Times

The war began poorly for Hasdrubal.

Britannica

Capriati, 23, began poorly in the deciding set by trailing, 3-1.

The New York Times - Sports

It began poorly and got worse when he was booed by Hokie fans, boos he conceded he deserved.

The New York Times - Sports

3) JETS The team began poorly last season and, in a near miracle, still won the A.F.C. East.

The New York Times - Sports

CAMBY STARTS After two games in which the Knicks began poorly, Mike Woodson started Marcus Camby for the first time this season, in place of Kurt Thomas.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

(For both, the third quarter of the year has begun poorly).The tech bubble inflated even more in Frankfurt than in New York: hence the bigger pop.

The Economist

Bruce Chen, a former Brave and Phillie, was making his last scheduled start of the season and he began it poorly.

The New York Times - Sports

Two years ago, Alistair Darling, the chancellor of the Exchequer, began a poorly planned tax attack on "nondomiciled" British residents.

The New York Times

It did severe damage to a Jets team that had worked so hard to turn around a season that began so poorly.

The New York Times - Sports

But the Devils began playing poorly late in the second period and paid a severe price, falling behind by two before the goals by Niedermayer and Gomez tied the game.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "began poorly", consider adding context to explain why the start was unfavorable. For instance, "The project began poorly due to unforeseen technical challenges."

Common error

Avoid simply stating something "began poorly" without providing specific details or examples. Vague statements weaken your message. Instead, provide tangible reasons or outcomes that illustrate the poor start.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began poorly" functions as a descriptive element, typically modifying a noun or clause to indicate the unsuccessful or unfavorable initial state of an event, process, or activity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

13%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "began poorly" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe an unfavorable start. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's appropriate across various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. When using this phrase, provide specific details to enhance clarity and avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "started off badly" or "commenced unfavorably" can be used depending on the desired tone and context. Remember, effective use of "began poorly" involves not just stating the fact but also explaining why the start was problematic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started off badly

Focuses on the initial action being negative or unfavorable.

had a bad start

Emphasizes the negative nature of the commencement.

commenced unfavorably

More formal and emphasizes the lack of favorable conditions.

initiated unsuccessfully

Highlights the lack of success in the initial phase.

kicked off on a bad note

Informal and emphasizes a negative or unfortunate beginning.

launched inauspiciously

Suggests an unlucky or ill-omened start.

opened disadvantageously

Focuses on the initial disadvantage or unfavorable position.

got off to a rocky start

Implies a difficult and unstable beginning with potential challenges.

showed initial weakness

Highlights the presence of vulnerabilities or deficiencies at the start.

started on the wrong foot

Idiomatic expression indicating a mistake or misstep at the beginning.

FAQs

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

You can use "began poorly" to describe the initial phase of an event, project, or performance that did not go well. For example, "The presentation "began poorly", with technical difficulties that disrupted the flow of information."

What are some alternatives to "began poorly"?

Alternatives include "started off badly", "had a bad start", or "commenced unfavorably", depending on the context.

Is it acceptable to use "began poorly" in formal writing?

Yes, "began poorly" is acceptable in formal writing, although alternatives like "commenced unfavorably" might be preferred in certain contexts for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "began poorly" and "ended poorly"?

"Began poorly" describes the initial state of something, while "ended poorly" describes the final outcome. They refer to different points in time.