more poorly than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more poorly than" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to compare something in a negative way. For example: "I did poorly on the test, but my friend did even more poorly than me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"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

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

The New York Times

Unsurprisingly, they then performed more poorly than their counterparts with non-black, higher-status names.

The New Yorker

Sexually active young men do more poorly than abstainers in their academic work".

The New York Times

The artists as a group performed more poorly than the controls.

The New York Times - Health

Its member countries have done more poorly than the European Union countries outside the eurozone, and much more poorly than the United States, which was the epicentre of the crisis.

The Guardian - Business

There have been sporting problems – Valencia have performed far more poorly than they should have – but not only sporting problems.

The Guardian - Sport

"The Yankees and Red Sox have played probably more poorly than anyone anticipated and given us a chance to contend.

The New York Times - Sports

At the time of the meeting, the economy was performing more poorly than had been expected and inflation was subdued.

The New York Times

In other words, they believe that the economy could do even more poorly than they anticipate right now.

The New York Times

Over the long run, R.P.I. has predicted the outcome of N.C.A.A. games more poorly than almost any other system.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing performances or outcomes, use "more poorly than" to clearly indicate a lower standard or less successful result in a given context. Make sure the comparison is explicit and relevant to the overall message.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "more poorly than" can sound awkward in formal contexts. Consider using alternatives like "worse than", or rephrasing for clarity and a more professional tone. For example, instead of "The economy performed more poorly than expected", use "The economy underperformed expectations".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more poorly than" functions as a comparative adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause by indicating a lower standard or degree of performance or quality in comparison to something else. This usage is confirmed by Ludwig, which validates the grammatical correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more poorly than" is a grammatically correct and commonly used comparative phrase that indicates a lower standard or degree of performance when compared to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usefulness. While it is acceptable across various contexts, it appears most frequently in news and media, and scientific publications. For formal or business writing, consider alternatives like "worse than" or more refined rephrasing to achieve a more polished tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worse than

This is a more direct and common synonym, indicating a lower quality or performance.

not as well as

A more general comparison indicating a lower standard of performance or quality.

faring worse than

Implies a negative outcome or experience in comparison to something else.

less effectively than

Focuses specifically on the effectiveness of an action or performance, suggesting a weaker outcome.

underperforming compared to

Directly states that something is not performing as well as something else.

not up to par with

Suggests that something does not meet the expected standard when compared to something else.

with less success than

Emphasizes the difference in successful outcomes between two things.

to a lesser extent than

Indicates a difference in degree, with one thing being present or performed less than another.

in a more inferior manner than

Focuses on the lower quality or standard of how something is done.

at a disadvantage compared to

Highlights a comparative disadvantage in a particular situation.

FAQs

How can I use "more poorly than" in a sentence?

You can use "more poorly than" to compare two things where one performs or fares worse than the other. For example: "The company's profits this quarter performed "more poorly than" last quarter".

What's a simple synonym for "more poorly than"?

A simple synonym for "more poorly than" is "worse than". It directly indicates a lower quality or performance.

Is it always appropriate to use "more poorly than" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "more poorly than" might sound less refined in formal writing. Consider using alternatives like "less effectively than" or rephrasing for a more polished tone.

What is the difference between "more poorly than" and "not as well as"?

"More poorly than" directly emphasizes the lower quality of performance, while "not as well as" is a more general comparison indicating a difference in standard, but the core meaning is the same.