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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
i do poorly
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "i do poorly" is not correct in written English due to the lowercase "i." You can use it when discussing your performance in a specific task or activity.
Example: "In math, I do poorly compared to my classmates."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Academia
Alternative expressions(1)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
2 human-written examples
Even when I do poorly on a test, I try to learn from my mistakes.
Survey administration did reveal student requests for clarification on one specific item ("I do poorly in math")., so this statement was reworded for clarity ("I make good grades in math").
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
I did poorly in languages in school.
News & Media
This time, I did poorly in exactly the categories where someone who's had Parkinson's for twenty years would be expected to do poorly.
News & Media
When I did poorly on a test I followed her advice and didn't let on to anyone.
News & Media
That, plus the fact that I did poorly on the law boards, helped me decide against law school.
News & Media
Q: My TOEFL scores are at or above the minimum scores required, however I did poorly on the Verbal section of the GRE test.
Academia
I did poorly in math for a couple of years in middle school; I was just not interested in thinking about it.
News & Media
"When I did poorly, I was intolerant and difficult and had a bad temper". Almost from the beginning there were whispers in the more civilized--and lower-performing--corners of Wall Street that hedge fund shops like Steinhardt's were cutting corners.
News & Media
To desire something intrinsically is not to desire it exclusively for its own sake, but to desire it at least partially for its own sake: my father desires my welfare in part for my own sake, but no doubt he also desires it in part because he would have trouble sleeping were I doing poorly, and he does not want to lose sleep.
Science
If I did poorly, I was hurt to my heart.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When writing, always capitalize the first-person pronoun "I". This ensures grammatical correctness and clarity.
Common error
Ensure you always capitalize the pronoun "I". Using lowercase "i" is a common error that detracts from clarity and professionalism. Even in informal contexts, "I" should be capitalized.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase, when corrected to "I do poorly", functions as a statement of performance or ability. Ludwig AI indicates the original phrase with a lowercase "i" is grammatically incorrect. The corrected form asserts a general tendency to underperform in a particular area.
Frequent in
News & Media
33%
Science
33%
Academia
33%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Wiki
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "i do poorly" with a lowercase "i" is grammatically incorrect, the corrected phrase "I do poorly" serves to express a general tendency to underperform. Ludwig AI identifies the lowercase "i" as an error. The usage is relatively rare but appears across diverse contexts like news, science, and academia, indicating a neutral register. Remember to always capitalize "I" and consider alternatives like "I struggle" or "I perform poorly" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
i perform poorly
Replaces "do" with "perform", offering a more formal synonym while maintaining the core meaning.
i struggle
Uses a more general term, "struggle", to convey difficulty without specifying the degree of failure.
i am not doing well
Employs a more descriptive and less direct way of expressing poor performance.
i fare badly
Uses "fare badly", a slightly more formal and less common expression.
i underperform
A more technical term implying a failure to meet expectations.
i am deficient
Highlights a lack of skill or ability, focusing on the deficiency rather than the act of doing poorly.
i am inadequate
Similar to "deficient", emphasizing a lack of qualification or suitability.
i don't excel
A less negative way to express a lack of success, focusing on the absence of excellence.
i have difficulty
Focuses on the challenge faced rather than the negative outcome.
i am not up to par
An idiomatic expression indicating that performance is below the expected standard.
FAQs
Why is it important to capitalize "I" in the phrase "i do poorly"?
The pronoun "I" is always capitalized in English, regardless of context. Using a lowercase "i" is a grammatical error. Therefore, "I do poorly" is correct, while "i do poorly" is incorrect.
What are some alternatives to "I do poorly" that still convey a similar meaning?
You can use alternatives like "I perform poorly", "I struggle", or "I am not doing well" depending on the specific context.
In what situations might someone use the phrase "I do poorly"?
The phrase "I do poorly" can be used to describe a lack of success or competence in a particular activity or subject. For example, "I do poorly in math" or "I do poorly under pressure."
Is "I am doing poorly" grammatically different from "I do poorly"?
Yes, "I am doing poorly" is grammatically correct and uses the present continuous tense, while "I do poorly" is grammatically incorrect due to the lowercase "i". "I do poorly" could be used with the correct pronoun "I do poorly", implying a habitual action.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested