exceptionally poor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exceptionally poor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is significantly below an expected standard or quality. Example: "The service at the restaurant was exceptionally poor, leading to a disappointing dining experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Yet most migrants are not tired or exceptionally poor.

The Economist

The scene, as rendered in my exceptionally poor handheld video, is only slightly misleading.

The New Yorker

Malawi is an exceptionally poor land-locked country, where most people live in rural communities.

The Guardian

The ski jumping portion of the competition was hampered by exceptionally poor weather.

The New York Times

Carlsberg said the Russian beer market shrank "slightly" in the third quarter, mostly because of "exceptionally poor weather".

The New York Times

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's support of the manner in which this interdiction was conducted showed exceptionally poor judgment.

The New York Times

North Carolina is the strongest, with Syracuse the weakest due to its exceptionally poor team rebounding margin, ranked 237th nationally.

The New York Times

Even if one accepted that assessment, having it delivered with Mr. Pataki sitting right there reflected both self-righteousness and exceptionally poor manners.

The New York Times

Treacy said that "exceptionally poor trading together with shortfall on property proceeds and challenges around trade credit" had led to the downfall of BHS.

The Guardian - Business

Even before the new fighting, the Gaza Strip, where some 700,000 of the Palestinian residents live as refugees, was exceptionally poor and a hotbed for extremism.

The New York Times

None of the children here are from exceptionally poor homes; the school charges fees of just over £3,000 a year.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exceptionally poor", ensure the context clearly establishes what standard or expectation is not being met. Providing specific examples of the deficiency strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "exceptionally poor" as a generic descriptor. Always specify why something is exceptionally poor to provide clarity and avoid vague criticism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceptionally poor" primarily functions as a qualifying adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate a significantly substandard or deficient quality. Ludwig shows how it is used to describe various subjects, from weather conditions to judgment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exceptionally poor" is a qualifying adjective phrase used to express a significant deficiency or substandard quality. Ludwig confirms that the expression is grammatically correct. Appearing frequently in news and scientific sources, its tone remains generally neutral but can tend to be formal based on context. When using this phrase, providing specific examples strengthens your message, avoiding generic criticism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remarkably inadequate

Emphasizes the inadequacy to a notable degree, similar to 'exceptionally poor'.

extremely substandard

Highlights the failure to meet a standard, akin to 'exceptionally poor' in terms of quality.

terribly deficient

Focuses on the lack or shortage, much like 'exceptionally poor' describes a significant lack of quality.

decidedly inferior

Indicates a clear and unambiguous lower quality, comparable to 'exceptionally poor'.

singularly bad

Implies an unusual degree of badness, mirroring the intensity in 'exceptionally poor'.

uncommonly weak

Stresses the unusual lack of strength or quality, similar to 'exceptionally poor'.

strikingly deficient

Highlights the noticeable absence or inadequacy, akin to 'exceptionally poor' in its emphasis.

noticeably lacking

Points out an easily observed deficiency, similar to 'exceptionally poor' when something is evidently inadequate.

patently inadequate

Indicates obvious inadequacy, aligning with the clear deficiency implied by 'exceptionally poor'.

conspicuously deficient

Emphasizes that the deficiency is very noticeable, similar to the strong indication of inadequacy in 'exceptionally poor'.

FAQs

How can I use "exceptionally poor" in a sentence?

You can use "exceptionally poor" to describe something that is significantly below standard. For example, "The team's performance was "exceptionally poor" this season."

What are some alternatives to "exceptionally poor"?

Some alternatives include "remarkably inadequate", "extremely substandard", or "terribly deficient", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "exceptionally poor" or "very poor"?

"Exceptionally poor" emphasizes a greater degree of inadequacy than "very poor". Choose the phrase that best reflects the severity of the deficiency.

When is it appropriate to use "exceptionally poor" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing when you need to strongly convey that something falls significantly short of expectations or standards. Ensure your assessment is supported by evidence.