performance is subpar

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "performance is subpar" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone's performance does not meet expected standards or is below average. Example: "The team's performance is subpar this quarter, and we need to address the issues affecting our productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Low-light performance is subpar, and the lack of a microphone jack is a significant omission.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

When the Americans trained Thursday night, Kupets took part, but her performance was subpar.

The New York Times - Sports

Last Friday, writing on his Tumblr, he addressed the producer Ken Ehrlich and the writer David Wild directly, following their intimation that his last Grammys performance was subpar.

The New Yorker

While no one will say it to his face, his live performances are subpar.

The Guardian - Film

Google executives have said that its product pipeline is subpar.

The New York Times - Tech

Cohen overtook Yoshie Onda of Japan with a performance that was subpar by her standards.

The New York Times - Sports

Greg Carlson, a fund analyst at Morningstar, was surprised by the firing of Dreman, but acknowledged that the fund's performance has been subpar.

Forbes

Most of the rest are subpar.

TechCrunch

But his first two seasons have been subpar.

Huffington Post

Mike Piazza is subpar at catcher.

The New York Times - Sports

Detroit's front five is subpar, again like Indianapolis.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When evaluating "performance is subpar", provide specific examples to illustrate the areas needing improvement. This adds credibility to your assessment and offers clear guidance for corrective action.

Common error

Avoid using "performance is subpar" as a standalone criticism. Without providing context or specific examples, the feedback becomes vague and unhelpful. Always elaborate on the areas where the performance falls short.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "performance is subpar" functions as a descriptive statement. It predicates a quality (being subpar) to the subject (performance). Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It's used to express an evaluation of performance against a standard.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "performance is subpar" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that something or someone's performance is below the expected standard. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, although often found in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure you provide specific details to support your assessment and guide improvement. Alternatives like "performance is below average" or "performance is inadequate" can be used to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

performance is below average

Replaces "subpar" with a more common synonym, maintaining the same structure and meaning.

performance is not up to par

Uses a different idiomatic expression to convey the same meaning of inadequate performance.

performance is deficient

Employs a more formal synonym for "subpar", indicating a lack of something necessary.

performance is inadequate

Similar to "deficient" but slightly more general in its application.

performance is unsatisfactory

Focuses on the failure to meet expectations or requirements.

performance is weak

Uses a simpler term to describe the poor quality of the performance.

performance is substandard

Highlights the failure to meet a certain standard or level of quality.

performance is poor

A straightforward and common way to describe unsatisfactory performance.

performance is not good enough

Emphasizes the insufficiency of the performance in meeting required standards.

performance is underwhelming

Describes the performance as failing to impress or excite.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "performance is subpar"?

When someone says "performance is subpar", they mean that the performance is below the expected standards or average level. It indicates that there's room for improvement.

How can I use "performance is subpar" in a sentence?

You can use "performance is subpar" to describe a situation where someone or something is not performing well. For example, "The team's performance this quarter is subpar, and we need to address the issues affecting productivity."

What can I say instead of "performance is subpar"?

You can use alternatives like "performance is below average", "performance is inadequate", or "performance is unsatisfactory" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "performance is subpar" or "performance is poor"?

Both phrases indicate that the performance is not good, but "performance is subpar" might sound slightly more formal or technical. "Performance is poor" is more straightforward and commonly used in everyday language.