ill served

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ill served" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is not adequately provided for or treated poorly. Example: "The community felt ill served by the lack of resources allocated to their needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

When it doesn't, I feel ill served.

The New York Times

The country and the world are thus ill served.

The New York Times

The president, I think, was ill served by his team.

The New York Times - Books

An American writer has been ill served and underestimated.

The New Yorker

But Israel has been ill served by America's endless indulgence.

The Guardian - Opinion

It too is ill served by industry's powerful reductions.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Black's ill-served decision to sue the website for a huge sum of money only serves the same purpose.

Huffington Post

Argentina has indeed been ill-served by its politicians.

The Economist

THESE entertaining journals are ill-served by their title.

The Economist

They are hardly ill-served by the banking system.

The New York Times

And other ill-served populations such as gifted kids?

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ill served" to express that someone or something is not adequately provided for, supported, or treated. It often carries a sense of disappointment or injustice. For example, "The community felt "ill served" by the lack of resources allocated to their needs".

Common error

Avoid using "ill served" when you simply mean something is not functioning correctly. The phrase implies a degree of negligence or injustice, not just a malfunction. For instance, a broken machine is not "ill served"; it is simply broken.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ill served" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject has received inadequate or poor treatment. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples show it describing individuals, organizations, and even abstract concepts like justice or memories.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ill served" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression that conveys the idea of inadequate treatment or provision. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, predominantly within news and media, with applications extending to science and formal business settings. While alternatives like "poorly treated" or "underserved" exist, "ill served" often carries a stronger connotation of injustice or neglect. It's important to use it appropriately, ensuring the context genuinely reflects a situation where someone or something is not receiving the care, support, or resources they deserve.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poorly treated

Focuses on the negative action inflicted, emphasizing mistreatment.

badly served

Similar in meaning but emphasizes the quality of service received.

underserved

Highlights the lack of adequate service or resources.

not well served

A more explicit and slightly weaker version of "ill served".

disadvantaged

Focuses on the resulting disadvantage from poor treatment or lack of resources.

poorly supported

Focuses on the lack of necessary support.

shortchanged

Implies being deprived of something that is due.

at a disadvantage

Highlights the state of being in a less favorable position.

given the short end of the stick

An idiomatic expression indicating unfair treatment.

left wanting

Emphasizes the feeling of lacking something necessary.

FAQs

How can I use "ill served" in a sentence?

The phrase "ill served" is used to indicate that someone or something has been treated poorly or not provided with adequate resources or support. For example, "The president was "ill served" by his advisors" or "The public is "ill served" by the current healthcare system".

What are some alternatives to "ill served"?

Alternatives to "ill served" include "poorly treated", "badly served", "underserved", or "disadvantaged". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "ill served" the same as "poorly served"?

While similar, "ill served" often implies a more profound sense of injustice or neglect than "poorly served". "Poorly served" may simply refer to inadequate service, while "ill served" suggests a more serious deficiency or mistreatment.

Can "ill served" be used to describe an object or a system?

Yes, "ill served" can be used to describe both people and systems. For example, you can say that "patients are "ill served" by a fragmented healthcare system" or that "a company was "ill served" by its outdated technology".