poor appearing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poor appearing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that looks unhealthy, unkempt, or in a state of disrepair. Example: "The patient was poor appearing, with noticeable signs of malnutrition and fatigue."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

After all poor appearing bands were excluded, the differentially expressed bands were extracted, amplified using the TOPO TA Cloning Kit (Invitrogen, Cat. #K4500-1) and sequenced.

BMC Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The word "poor" appeared thirty-six tines in the book; I used "dirty" more than two dozen times.

The New Yorker

Because São Paulo is Brazil's richest city, its poor appear even poorer in comparison with its large middle class and its numerous affluent.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And many of the issues it has raised about global inequities between rich and poor appear to have become more relevant in recent weeks.

The New York Times

The lives of the poor appear unimaginable to people in his position, like the lives of those who might move to another planet or a space station.

The Guardian - Opinion

And the more the children of the better-off were cherished, and pampered, the worse the treatment of the children of the poor appeared to be.

The New Yorker

The UK's Department for International Development published a 2011 study suggesting that assumptions of microfinance's value for the poor appeared to rest on "foundations of sand".

The Guardian - Opinion

"The increased geographic isolation of the poor appears to have a pure adverse effect on health and well-being," he said.

The New York Times - Health

But Mr. Toledo, who has strong Indian features and promises to be "the president of the poor," appears to be the strongest opponent Mr. Fujimori has ever faced among the poor Indian voters.

The New York Times

The centre-right politicians who lost power due to insufficient sensitivity toward Slovakia's poor appear to have learned from their mistakes, and could be perceived as behaving with a different sort of solidarity to that usually preached in Brussels.

The Economist

Instead of the middle-class Parisians the organizers had hoped for, witnesses said the crowd, overwhelmingly young, male and poor, appeared to be made up mostly of residents of the tough suburbs that ring the French capital, as well as poor students and homeless men.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a patient's condition in medical writing, consider using "ill-appearing" as a more precise and professional alternative to "poor appearing."

Common error

Avoid using "poor appearing" in casual conversation; it can sound overly formal or clinical. Opt for simpler phrases like "looking rough" or "not looking well" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poor appearing" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a negative or substandard visual presentation. It is used to characterize something as being in a state of disrepair, ill health, or general decline. As Ludwig AI notes, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poor appearing" is a grammatically correct descriptive phrase used to denote a negative or substandard visual impression. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, its usage is relatively rare. It finds application across various domains, including science, news, and encyclopedias, though it is less common in more informal contexts. When writing, consider the context and audience to choose more appropriate alternatives like "ill-appearing" or "unhealthy looking" for improved clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unhealthy looking

Focuses specifically on the visual impression of ill health.

ill-appearing

A more formal and clinical term for looking unwell.

in poor condition

Shifts the focus to the overall state of something, rather than just its appearance.

of poor quality

Emphasizes substandard construction or materials that are visible.

badly maintained

Highlights the lack of upkeep contributing to a negative appearance.

shabby looking

Suggests a worn-out or neglected appearance.

unkempt

Focuses on a lack of grooming or order, leading to a poor appearance.

run-down

Describes a state of disrepair and neglect.

decrepit

Implies significant age and decay affecting the appearance.

worse for wear

An idiomatic expression indicating that something shows signs of age or heavy use.

FAQs

What does "poor appearing" mean?

The phrase "poor appearing" describes someone or something that presents an unfavorable or unhealthy appearance. It suggests visible signs of distress, neglect, or substandard condition.

Is it better to use "ill-appearing" or "poor appearing"?

"Ill-appearing" is often preferred in medical contexts as a more precise and professional term. However, "poor appearing" can be suitable in broader contexts where a general sense of decline or neglect is intended.

What are some synonyms for "poor appearing"?

Alternatives include "unhealthy looking", "shabby looking", or "in poor condition" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How can I use "poor appearing" in a sentence?

Example: "After all poor appearing bands were excluded, the differentially expressed bands were extracted, amplified using the TOPO TA Cloning Kit and sequenced." In this sentence, "poor appearing" describes the condition of the bands.