poor building

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poor building" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a structure that is in bad condition or poorly constructed. Example: "The city decided to demolish the poor building after it was deemed unsafe for occupancy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

But activists in Bangladesh say fires pose as serious a threat as poor building construction.

The Guardian

The government fielded questions online and promised an inquiry into whether poor building work, linked to corruption, was to blame.

The Guardian

"That poor building is beaten up enough," said Simeon Bankoff, executive director of the Historic Districts Council.

The New York Times

Inspector Matthew Limo of the police said it appeared the collapse was "caused by poor building standards".

The New York Times

(See Sidebar ) The massive human losses were attributed in part to relatively poor building construction and the lack of earthquake-resistant design practices.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A surprising aspect of Mr. Todaro's case was that his certification was suspended in 2004 by the environmental agency, which cited poor building surveys and improper record keeping.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

"These poor buildings," she said.

The New York Times

Infrastructures are poor, buildings are in disrepair, and renovations have not been sufficient to adequately address needs.

Unicef

One thing about China is that, because of sloppy upkeep and poor construction, buildings become rundown in a few short years.

Forbes

Here's the thing: yes, buildings do collapse, but even in areas with poor construction and building codes, most buildings are left standing post-quake.

Forbes

The fact that a possible buyer would think the team is worth that much given its small market and revenue-poor building shows that the league's salary cap has given a boost to team values.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "poor building", be specific about the deficiencies. Instead of just saying "it's a poor building", explain what makes it poor: "The building suffers from poor insulation and inadequate ventilation."

Common error

Avoid using "poor building" as a vague descriptor. Provide details about the specific issues, such as structural problems, material quality, or maintenance deficiencies. Example: Instead of "The project failed due to a poor building", specify "The project failed due to a building with substandard materials and inadequate foundations".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poor building" functions as a noun phrase, where "poor" modifies the noun "building". As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it commonly serves to describe a structure lacking quality or in disrepair.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "poor building" is a commonly used expression to describe a structure that is in a state of disrepair, has substandard construction, or presents safety concerns. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and readily understood. While alternatives like "substandard building" or "dilapidated building" may offer more specific nuances, "poor building" serves as a versatile and widely recognized descriptor. When using the phrase, providing specific details about the building's deficiencies enhances clarity and impact. Its presence in news media, scientific publications, and formal business documents indicates its acceptance across various registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substandard building

Replaces "poor" with "substandard", emphasizing that the building doesn't meet required standards.

dilapidated building

Focuses on the building's state of disrepair due to neglect or age.

shoddy construction

Highlights the low quality of the building's construction process.

badly built structure

Emphasizes the negative aspect of the construction quality.

inferior building

Indicates that the building is of lower quality compared to others.

poorly maintained building

Focuses on the lack of maintenance that contributes to the building's poor condition.

rundown building

Highlights the deteriorated condition of the building due to age or lack of care.

structurally deficient building

Indicates significant problems with the building's structural integrity.

low quality construction

Focuses on the building materials of the construction quality.

compromised building

Indicates that the building's integrity or safety has been negatively affected.

FAQs

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

You can use "poor building" to describe structures with deficiencies. For example: "The earthquake revealed the area's "poor building" standards" or "The "poor building" was demolished due to safety concerns".

What are some alternatives to "poor building"?

Alternatives include "substandard building", "dilapidated building", or "shoddy construction", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Which is more accurate: "poor building" or "poorly constructed building"?

"Poorly constructed building" is more descriptive and emphasizes the construction quality, while "poor building" is a more general term that encompasses any deficiencies. Both are correct, but the choice depends on the context.

What are common causes of a "poor building"?

Common causes include inadequate building codes, "poor building materials", lack of maintenance, and natural disasters, all of which can compromise the structural integrity and safety of a building.