more poorly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more poorly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the quality of performance or outcomes, indicating that one is worse than another. Example: "She performed more poorly on the exam than she did on the practice tests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Others fare somewhat more poorly, however.

The New York Times

Other assertions made in this book are more poorly sourced.

The New York Times - Books

Its release couldn't have been more poorly timed.

The New York Times

The Democratic Party and its remaining adherents fare more poorly.

The New York Times

"Women who develop heart failure tolerate it much more poorly than men, and they tolerate heart attacks and bypass surgery more poorly than men.

The New York Times - Health

India will chase leather all day, ever more poorly, with shades of list.

The Guardian - Sport

A. It's distant, mysterious and poorly mapped; it's probably more poorly mapped than Antarctica.

The New York Times - Science

"My editors told me I wrote more poorly than a junior high school student," he said.

The New York Times

For Mr. Wahid, the meeting could not have been more poorly timed.

The New York Times

There is a police project to spread this good practice to more poorly performing areas.

The Guardian - Opinion

Every day that goes by we are witnessing population growth coinciding with more poorly nourished people.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more poorly" to compare two actions, processes, or outcomes when one is clearly inferior in quality or performance. Ensure the comparison is explicit to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "more poorly" when a simpler word like "worse" suffices. For example, instead of saying "The team played more poorly", opt for "The team played worse" for greater conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more poorly" functions as a comparative adverb, modifying a verb to indicate that an action is performed to a lesser standard or with less quality than another. It builds upon the base adverb "poorly", creating a comparison as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

39%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Other

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more poorly" is a grammatically sound comparative adverb used to indicate that something is done to a lower standard than something else. As Ludwig confirms, it functions primarily to express comparison, most frequently found in news, media and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "worse" exist, "more poorly" provides a specific comparative nuance. When using this phrase, ensure a clear comparison is made to avoid ambiguity. While correct, consider whether a simpler alternative is more appropriate for the sentence's flow.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worse

This is a direct and concise synonym, indicating a lower quality or performance level.

less effectively

Focuses on the reduced efficiency or impact of an action or process.

less successfully

Emphasizes the lack of positive outcomes or achievements.

to a lesser extent

Indicates a reduced degree or magnitude of something.

in a weaker manner

Highlights the diminished strength or capability of an action.

with less skill

Focuses on the reduced proficiency or expertise involved.

not as well

A simple and straightforward comparison of quality or performance.

less competently

Highlights a reduced level of ability or proficiency.

at a disadvantage

Implies being in a less favorable position or condition.

in a substandard fashion

Emphasizes the failure to meet the required or expected level of quality.

FAQs

How do I use "more poorly" in a sentence?

Use "more poorly" to compare two different instances of performance. For example, "She performed "more poorly" on the second test compared to the first test".

What are some alternatives to saying "more poorly"?

You can use alternatives like "worse", "less effectively", or "less successfully" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "more poorly" or "worse"?

Both "more poorly" and "worse" are grammatically correct, but "worse" is often more concise and preferable in many situations. "More poorly" is typically used when a comparative adverb is explicitly desired.

Is it ever better to use "more poorly" than just "poorly"?

Yes, use "more poorly" when you want to explicitly compare two situations or performances where one is inferior to the other. "Poorly" simply describes a single instance of inadequate performance.