fare poorly

USAGE SUMMARY

"fare poorly" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an idiom used to describe when something performs or does worse than expected. Example sentence: Despite his best efforts, the student fared poorly on the test.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

On other measures, too, blacks fare poorly.

The Economist

By contrast, Hong Kong's avant-garde artists fare poorly.

The Economist

On each count, Europe's peripheral governments fare poorly.

The Economist

Public displays of dissent generally fare poorly in China.

The Economist

The Democrats are likely to fare poorly in early elections.

The New York Times

Some species fare poorly in the darkness, while others thrive.

The New York Times

Others, if their candidates fare poorly, may find themselves jobless.

The New York Times - Style

People presenting grievances in China can fare poorly at the hands of the authorities.

The New York Times

The Democrats now look likely to fare poorly in such an election.

The New York Times

The general expectation has been that liberal parties will fare poorly, due to inexperience and division.

The Economist

But women still fare poorly in Schlumberger; Riboud's daughter-in-law describes him as sexist.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fare poorly", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being evaluated or measured. For example, "The company's stocks fared poorly after the announcement" clarifies the subject (stocks) and the area of performance (market value).

Common error

Avoid using "fare poorly" without specifying a clear comparison point. Saying "They fared poorly" is vague; instead, specify what they fared poorly compared to, such as "They fared poorly compared to their competitors".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fare poorly" typically functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, indicating a negative outcome or substandard performance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is a usable idiom in written English. Examples show its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fare poorly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used idiom for expressing that something performs worse than expected. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its usage spans across various domains, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. While generally neutral in register, it leans towards formality. Alternatives include "perform badly" and "do badly". When using the phrase, be sure to provide a clear point of comparison to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perform badly

Focuses on the act of performing in a negative way, similar to not faring well.

do badly

A simpler and more direct way of saying something didn't go well.

not succeed

Emphasizes the lack of success, moving away from the process to the result.

fall short

Indicates a failure to reach a specific goal or standard.

underperform

Specifically highlights performing below expectations.

come up short

Similar to "fall short", indicating a deficiency or failure to achieve something.

not measure up

Implies a failure to meet a certain standard or requirement.

fail to thrive

Suggests a more general lack of progress or positive development.

have a hard time

Indicates experiencing difficulty or struggle, leading to a less favorable outcome.

endure hardship

Highlights the suffering and difficulties encountered, implying a negative experience.

FAQs

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

You can use "fare poorly" to describe how something performs in comparison to expectations. For example, "The new product "fared poorly" in initial market tests".

What's a good alternative to "fare poorly"?

Alternatives include "perform badly", "do badly", or "not succeed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "fare poorly" or "do poorly"?

"Fare poorly" is often considered more formal than "do poorly", but both are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.

What does it mean when something is said to "fare poorly"?

When something is said to "fare poorly", it means it did not perform well or did not have a positive outcome. It suggests a disappointing or unfavorable result.