fare less well

USAGE SUMMARY

'fare less well' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is not going as well or is not as successful as expected. For example, "In the competitive market, smaller businesses tend to fare less well than larger companies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some dishes fare less well.

The New Yorker

Others fare less well.

The New York Times - Arts

Sweetbreads, another favorite on the menu, fare less well.

The New York Times - Food

The chicken and leek pies fare less well.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Actually, the upper middle class would fare less well than the rest of the middle class.

The New Yorker

Research shows that litigants representing themselves often fare less well than those with lawyers.

The New York Times

Smithson suggested that the SNP would fare less well if the poll had named candidates.

The Guardian

Other Gilchrist characters fare less well as she pushes them along from book to book.

The New York Times - Books

Some actors and creative teams will pull it off brilliantly and some will fare less well.

The Guardian

Some parts of the country still fare less well than the national figures.

The Guardian

Others fare less well, being abandoned or killed, many because they are believed to exhibit behaviour problems.

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fare less well", ensure you're making a clear comparison. Specify what the subject is faring less well compared to for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "fare less well" without indicating what the subject is being compared to. Without context, the statement lacks meaning and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fare less well" functions as a comparative verb phrase, indicating that something or someone experiences a less favorable outcome compared to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fare less well" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a comparative lack of success or a less favorable outcome. According to Ludwig AI, it is versatile and applicable across various contexts, especially in news, media, and scientific writing. The analysis reveals that the key to using "fare less well" effectively is ensuring that the comparison is clear and explicit. While the phrase itself is neutral, its implications are inherently negative, pointing to a relative deficiency or underperformance. When aiming for precision or formality, alternatives like "underperform" or "prove less successful" might be considered. However, "fare less well" remains a robust and widely understood way to convey a relative disadvantage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not do as well

Focuses on the action of doing something, implying a comparison in performance or achievement.

perform poorly

Emphasizes the quality of performance, indicating a substandard result.

not measure up

Highlights a deficiency in meeting a certain standard or expectation.

underperform

Directly states the failure to achieve an expected level of performance.

struggle

Indicates difficulty and hardship in achieving a desired outcome.

have a disadvantage

Points out an unfavorable condition or circumstance leading to a reduced chance of success.

be at a disadvantage

Similar to "have a disadvantage", it highlights the state of being in an unfavorable position.

fall short

Implies a failure to reach a target or goal, suggesting a deficit in accomplishment.

lag behind

Indicates a slower pace or progress compared to others.

not succeed

A general term for failing to achieve a desired outcome or objective.

FAQs

How can I use "fare less well" in a sentence?

Use "fare less well" to compare the relative success or performance of two or more subjects. For instance, "Startups often "fare less well" than established corporations due to limited resources".

What's a more formal way to say "fare less well"?

In a formal context, consider alternatives like "underperform", "experience a relative disadvantage", or "prove less successful". These phrases maintain a professional tone while conveying the same meaning as "fare less well".

Is "fare less well" always negative?

Yes, "fare less well" typically carries a negative connotation, indicating that something or someone is not performing as well or achieving the same level of success as a comparison point. Using it implies a relative deficiency.

What's the difference between "fare less well" and "not succeed"?

"Fare less well" implies a comparative lack of success, while "not succeed" is a more general statement of failure. "Fare less well" suggests a comparison, while "not succeed" simply indicates a lack of desired outcome.