doing very poorly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doing very poorly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is performing badly or not meeting expectations in various contexts, such as academics, work, or health. Example: "After the last exam, I realized I was doing very poorly in my studies and needed to seek help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

France is doing very poorly.

The Guardian

"I thought I was doing very poorly.

The New Yorker

But the country is not extraordinary; it's doing very poorly".

The New York Times

On this account too, British workers have been doing very poorly.

The Guardian - Opinion

"So, they are doing very poorly in the leadership space," she says.

The Guardian

He has been to see her father in Berlin & says he is doing very poorly, but Hilde has no sympathy.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

London, England, done very poorly.

The New Yorker

Washington has done very poorly on both over the years.

Stanford University

"There were very few treatments and patients did very poorly.

The Guardian

But I think the job has been done very poorly.

The New York Times - Magazine

On this score, the euro area has done very poorly.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "doing very poorly", ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. Specify what is being done poorly and, if possible, provide reasons or contributing factors.

Common error

Avoid using "doing very poorly" without providing specific details. Instead of saying "The project is doing very poorly", specify which aspects are failing and provide data or evidence to support your statement. For example, "The project is doing very poorly in terms of budget management, with costs exceeding initial estimates by 20%."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing very poorly" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied subject. It typically describes the state or performance of something, indicating a negative evaluation. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "doing very poorly" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe something that is underperforming or not meeting expectations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears most frequently in news and media, but also sees use in scientific and business contexts. While straightforward, it's advisable to use it with specific details to avoid overgeneralization and potential ambiguity. Depending on the context, especially in professional environments, consider using more formal or constructive alternatives to soften the message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

performing quite badly

Changes "doing very poorly" to a slightly more emphatic "performing quite badly", emphasizing the action.

experiencing significant difficulties

Replaces the directness of "doing very poorly" with a more formal and descriptive phrase.

failing to meet expectations

Shifts the focus from current performance to a failure to achieve desired outcomes.

not progressing well

Uses a gentler phrasing to indicate a lack of advancement or success.

underachieving considerably

Emphasizes the gap between potential and actual performance.

performing below average

Quantifies the poor performance in relation to an average standard.

struggling substantially

Highlights the effort and difficulty involved in the poor performance.

falling short of targets

Focuses on the failure to achieve specific goals or objectives.

demonstrating poor results

Replaces "doing" with "demonstrating" to give a more formal feel.

lacking proficiency

Indicates a lack of skill or competence in a particular area.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "doing very poorly" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "performing below expectations", "experiencing significant difficulties", or "failing to meet targets".

What are some less direct ways to say "doing very poorly"?

You could use gentler phrases such as "not progressing well", "showing limited success", or "facing considerable challenges".

Is it always appropriate to use the phrase "doing very poorly" in professional settings?

While grammatically correct, "doing very poorly" can sound harsh. In professional settings, it's often better to use more constructive language that focuses on areas for improvement, such as "areas needing improvement".

What's the difference between "doing very poorly" and "doing badly"?

The phrase "doing very poorly" is slightly more emphatic than "doing badly", suggesting a more significant level of underperformance. However, they are often interchangeable.