of substandard quality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of substandard quality" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that does not meet the expected standards or is inferior in quality. Example: "The product was returned due to being of substandard quality, failing to meet the advertised specifications."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The pictures seen on the computer are often of substandard quality, and the modem capacity on most computers to store and show long films is a burden.

The New York Times

But, in many cases they were delivered at inflated costs, were of substandard quality, or in some cases delivered nothing at all.

The Guardian

Much of the existing housing stock tends to be of substandard quality—overcrowded, lacking indoor plumbing, and suffering from structural deterioration.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Last week, however, the Cendant Corporation surprised the industry when it announced Project Restore, which it described as a campaign to "purge its systems of substandard quality hotels" and of franchise holders who do not pay their bills on time.

The New York Times

This investigation explored the hypothesis that among general dental practitioners (GDPs), the performance of root fillings of substandard quality might be associated with deficient knowledge of factors important to the outcome of endodontic treatment.

Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology

Even as it was signing a customs union with Belarus, Russia imposed a ban on Belarusian milk products, which it claimed did not meet its new packaging rules (rather as it once argued that Georgian wine, fruit and mineral water were of substandard quality).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Providers are often not aggressive enough in treating hypertension and other chronic problems [ 6], leading to substandard quality of care, as they are trained to take care of patients when they visit.

BMC Family Practice

I don't really know the objective facts on whether this speaks to substandard quality coming out of China.

Forbes

People are tired of the substandard quality produce in most grocery stores.

WikiHow

Scarcity of skilled providers, poor infrastructure and substandard quality of care are some of the critical components of such health systems that constrain progress in maternal and newborn survival [ 17].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Wal-Mart contributes hugely to the substandard quality of life of millions of our citizens.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing products or services, be specific about what aspects are "of substandard quality". Instead of saying "the service was of substandard quality", specify "the service was of substandard quality due to long wait times and inexperienced staff".

Common error

While "of substandard quality" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "inferior", "poor", or "deficient" to add nuance and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of substandard quality" functions as an adjectival phrase. It is typically used to modify a noun, indicating that the noun does not meet the required or expected quality level. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of substandard quality" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjectival phrase that describes something that doesn't meet the expected quality standards. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is well regarded in various written contexts. It's versatile, appearing in scientific, news, and business domains, but remember to be specific about which aspects are lacking in quality for maximum clarity. Consider alternatives like "of inferior quality" or "of poor quality" to avoid repetition. While the phrase is acceptable for most writing, remember to use simpler terms in very informal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of inferior grade

Replaces 'quality' with 'grade', implying a ranking or classification.

of poor caliber

Substitutes 'quality' with 'caliber', suggesting a measurement of worth.

of deficient standard

Replaces 'substandard' with 'deficient', emphasizing a lack of something necessary.

of low-end quality

Uses the term 'low-end' to denote a product or service at the lower spectrum of quality.

of unacceptable standard

Emphasizes that the quality doesn't meet the required or agreed level.

of second-rate quality

Uses a more colloquial term, 'second-rate', to indicate inferiority.

of poor make

Focuses on the construction or manufacturing aspect of the item in question.

not up to par

An idiomatic expression indicating that something does not meet expectations.

below average quality

Uses a statistical term to indicate a quality level that is less than the typical or expected one.

of compromised quality

Highlights that the quality has been negatively affected or reduced.

FAQs

How can I use "of substandard quality" in a sentence?

You can use "of substandard quality" to describe something that doesn't meet the expected standards. For example, "The materials used were "of substandard quality", leading to premature failure".

What are some alternatives to saying "of substandard quality"?

Alternatives include "of inferior quality", "of poor quality", or "of deficient standard". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "of substandard quality" formal or informal?

"Of substandard quality" is generally considered neutral to formal. In very informal contexts, simpler terms like "bad" or "lousy" might be more appropriate. In professional and academic settings, it is a perfectly acceptable and descriptive phrase.

What's the difference between "of substandard quality" and "counterfeit"?

"Of substandard quality" describes items that don't meet expected quality levels, while "counterfeit" describes items made to imitate something else, usually illegally. A counterfeit product may also be "of substandard quality", but not all items "of substandard quality" are counterfeit.