ended poorly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ended poorly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that concluded in an unsatisfactory or negative manner. Example: "The meeting ended poorly, with several unresolved issues and heightened tensions among the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

It ended poorly for everyone.

The Guardian - Opinion

Things ended poorly for the team and the player.

The New York Times - Sports

It ended poorly for SportsCentre co-host Jennifer Hedger.

The Guardian - Sport

It also ended poorly, with an unearned hug.

The New York Times - Arts

This approach also ended poorly for the manager in the media company example above.

Harvard Business Review

My first interview, with a certain lieutenant colonel, ended poorly when I addressed him as "lieutenant".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

That kind of gamble, in times of yore, tended to end poorly.

The New York Times

The use of force to stop human-rights abuses or to promote democracy, they argue, usually ends poorly.

The New Yorker

Another N.B.A. chapter ends poorly for Anthony, who always seems to be unable, or unwilling, to fit in.

The New York Times

My biggest gripe about modern thrillers is that they all too often end poorly, either in an over-blown, action-heavy bang or with an unsatisfying whimper.

The Guardian

At one point she goes so far as to arrange a sexual surrogate for Theodore, which is awkward, and ends poorly, with Theodore pushing the woman away, and leaving the woman in tears.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation that "ended poorly", provide specific details about the negative consequences or outcomes to give the reader a clear understanding of the severity and impact.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something "ended poorly" without providing context or specific details. This can leave the reader wondering about the actual impact or consequences of the situation. Instead, elaborate on the negative results or outcomes to provide a clearer picture.

Linguistic Context

"Ended poorly" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action concluded. Ludwig AI, in its analysis, considers it a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English. It indicates that a situation or event concluded in an unsatisfactory or negative way.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ended poorly" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to describe situations that concluded in an undesirable or negative manner. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread applicability. The phrase finds common usage across various contexts, especially in news and media, highlighting events, relationships, or negotiations that failed to achieve a positive resolution. While direct, it's important to provide specific details about the negative consequences rather than relying solely on the phrase itself to convey the full impact. Alternatives such as "concluded unfavorably" or "finished badly" can offer nuanced variations depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concluded unfavorably

Focuses on the lack of a positive outcome or benefit.

finished badly

Emphasizes the negative manner in which something was completed.

turned out badly

Highlights the undesirable result or outcome of an event or situation.

had a bad ending

Directly refers to the negative nature of the conclusion.

resulted in failure

Focuses on the lack of success as the primary outcome.

crashed and burned

An idiomatic expression emphasizing a complete and spectacular failure.

fell apart

Indicates a breakdown or disintegration leading to a negative conclusion.

went south

An informal way of saying that a situation deteriorated.

failed miserably

Highlights the extent and degree of the failure.

went awry

Emphasizes a deviation from the expected or desired course, leading to a negative conclusion.

FAQs

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

You can use "ended poorly" to describe events, relationships, or situations that concluded in a negative or unsatisfactory way. For example, "The negotiation "ended poorly", with neither party satisfied with the outcome."

What are some alternatives to saying "ended poorly"?

Alternatives include "concluded unfavorably", "finished badly", or "turned out badly", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "ended poorly"?

Yes, "ended poorly" is grammatically correct. "Ended" is the past tense of the verb "end", and "poorly" is an adverb modifying the verb to describe how it ended.

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

While both phrases convey a negative conclusion, "ended poorly" might suggest a less severe or impactful negative outcome than "ended badly". The choice depends on the specific situation and the degree of negativity you want to emphasize.