have done badly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have done badly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has performed poorly in a task or activity. Example: "After reviewing the test results, it was clear that many students have done badly this semester."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

But other countries have done badly too.

The Economist

They have done badly in California, worse in Florida.

The New York Times - Food

Parties that have done badly locally will now pay a price at the national level.

The Economist

I have a different diagnosis about things we have done badly.

The New York Times

Europeans have done badly at building internet firms whose services they like using.

The Economist

WITH one exception, films about the Iraq war have done badly in American cinemas.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

So far I've done badly.

Independent

That's not to say that Ireland has done badly.

The New York Times

If the Republicans had done badly, he would have got some of the blame.The gamble has paid off, though.

The Economist

A few departments, having done badly, are now under threat of closure.

The Guardian

Gartmore, a fund-manager it bought in 1996, has done badly.Its forays into investment banking have also been disastrous.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have done badly" to clearly indicate a failure or poor performance in a specific task or situation. Ensure the context makes it clear what was done badly.

Common error

Avoid using "have done badly" when a different adjective might be more precise. For example, instead of saying "the painting was done badly", consider "the painting was poorly executed" if the technique was the issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have done badly" functions as a verb phrase indicating poor performance or failure in completing a task or activity. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a grammatically sound way to express that something was not executed well.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have done badly" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe poor performance or failure. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's most commonly found in News & Media contexts, with neutral formality. While it's not the most frequent phrase, it's a clear and direct way to express negative outcomes. Consider alternatives like "performed poorly" or "not succeeded" to vary your language. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what was done badly to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

performed poorly

Emphasizes the act of performing in a subpar manner.

fared poorly

Focuses on the outcome or result being unfavorable.

not succeeded

Highlights the lack of success in achieving a goal.

failed to deliver

Emphasizes a failure to meet expectations or promises.

fell short

Indicates a failure to reach a required standard or target.

underperformed

Specifically refers to performance below an expected level.

came up short

Similar to 'fell short' but can imply a lack of resources or effort.

made a mess of things

Suggests a chaotic or disorganized failure.

mishandled the situation

Highlights poor management or handling of a specific situation.

screwed up

An informal way to say someone has failed or made a mistake.

FAQs

How can I use "have done badly" in a sentence?

You can use "have done badly" to describe poor performance or failure in a task. For example: "The team "have done badly" in the recent competition".

What are some alternatives to "have done badly"?

Alternatives include "performed poorly", "fared poorly", or "not succeeded", depending on the specific context.

Which is more appropriate, "have done badly" or "did poorly"?

"Have done badly" is grammatically correct and implies a completed action with a negative outcome. "Did poorly" is also correct, with a similar meaning but a slightly different emphasis.

What's the difference between "have done badly" and "were unsuccessful"?

"Have done badly" often relates to the manner in which something was executed, while "were unsuccessful" focuses on the lack of a positive result. For example: "They "have done badly" managing the project" suggests mismanagement, whereas "they "were unsuccessful"" simply means the project failed.