it was poorly lit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was poorly lit" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a place or situation where the lighting is inadequate or dim. Example: "The old library was charming, but it was poorly lit, making it difficult to read the small print on the pages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's poorly lit inside and Hawaii Elvis sings what is, in fact, pretty pleasant dinner karaoke, while everyone else focuses in, head down, on their food.

Vice

No, it's poorly lighted bars, overly loud music, lascivious announcers, thrusting women, shady customers, hints of back rooms where something more than stripping is available.

The New York Times - Arts

It was nighttime and the building was poorly lit, so the mistake wasn't unforgivable, but I always recall that moment when passing the low brick building on the corner of Light and Cross Streets.

Forbes

Dusk was settling in so the living room was poorly lit.

The New Yorker

The treatment room at Donka was poorly lit and had no sink.

The New York Times

Asides from the issue of sanitation, the toilet area was poorly lit and women felt afraid and unsafe going there at night, with reports of intimidation and fights.

The Guardian

An inquest heard the path was poorly lit, and the steps could not be seen before they were approached.

BBC

Though the tribute on YouTube was poorly lighted, Mr. Key could just make out how two teenage girls, one white and one Asian, were playing his and Mr. Peele's original roles.

The New York Times - Arts

Facebook's Deep Face algorithm, for instance, is about as good as a human being when it comes to recognising specific faces, even if they are poorly lit, or seen from a strange angle.

The Economist

Jumbled and chaotic, as if the exhibits had only recently been unpacked, the collection is poorly lit and erratically labelled, yet so spectacular that it almost doesn't matter.

The Guardian - Travel

Jumbled and chaotic, as if the exhibits had only recently been unpacked, the collection is poorly lit and erratically labelled, yet so spectacular that it almost doesn't matter.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a scene, follow "it was poorly lit" with specific details about the sources of light (or lack thereof) and the impact on visibility to create a more vivid image for the reader.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "it was poorly lit" without providing context. Describe how the inadequate lighting affects the scene or the characters' actions to create a more engaging narrative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was poorly lit" functions as a descriptive phrase. It typically serves to depict a setting or environment where the amount of light is insufficient or inadequate. Ludwig AI confirms this is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

13%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was poorly lit" is a grammatically correct and frequently used descriptive phrase that denotes inadequate or insufficient lighting in a specific setting. As Ludwig AI explains, this expression is quite common in written English. Analysis reveals its widespread usage across various contexts, especially in News & Media, Academia and Wiki, indicating a neutral formality level. To enrich your writing, consider alternatives such as "the lighting was dim" or "it was dimly lit" for similar effect, and always provide additional descriptive details to enhance the reader's experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the lighting was dim

Changes the adjective describing the light from "poorly lit" to "dim", focusing on the low level of light.

it was dimly lit

Replaces "poorly" with "dimly" for a simpler description of the lighting.

there was insufficient lighting

Replaces the descriptive adjective with a more formal noun phrase about lighting.

it was badly illuminated

Uses a different adverb and verb to convey the poor lighting quality.

it was poorly illuminated

Uses a different adverb and verb to convey the poor lighting quality.

the illumination was poor

Nominalizes "lit" to "illumination" and uses "poor" to describe it.

the light was inadequate

Focuses on the inadequacy of the light, using a different adjective.

it lacked sufficient light

Emphasizes the lack of sufficient light, using a slightly different structure.

it was underlit

Uses the single word "underlit" to describe the insufficient lighting.

the lighting was substandard

Highlights that the lighting didn't meet the required standard.

FAQs

What does "it was poorly lit" mean?

The phrase "it was poorly lit" means that the lighting in a particular place or situation was inadequate, dim, or insufficient to provide good visibility.

What can I say instead of "it was poorly lit"?

You can use alternatives like "the lighting was dim", "it was dimly lit", or "there was insufficient lighting" depending on the context.

How to use "it was poorly lit" in a sentence?

You can use "it was poorly lit" to describe various settings, such as: "The alley "it was poorly lit", making it hard to see what was ahead."

Which is correct, "it was poorly lit" or "it was poor lit"?

"It was poorly lit" is correct. "Poorly" is an adverb modifying the verb "lit". "Poor" is an adjective and would not be grammatically correct in this context.