poor choice

USAGE SUMMARY

"poor choice" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a decision or action that was made that was not ideal. For example, "She made a poor choice and ended up regretting it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A poor choice.

The Guardian

But obviously a poor choice".

The Guardian - Sport

What a poor choice of words.

The New York Times

It is a poor choice.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It was a poor choice of words".

The New York Times

And mashed potato is a poor choice of vegetable accompaniment.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In most restaurants, seafood stews often make a poor choice.

The New York Times

It has turned out to be a poor choice".

The New York Times

"He's made a poor choice on a poor day.

The Guardian - Sport

On paper, Berg is a poor choice for the material.

The Guardian - Film

It was a poor choice of costume and I apologise".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "poor choice", ensure the context clearly explains why the choice was suboptimal. Provide specific details or reasoning to support the assessment.

Common error

Avoid simply stating something is a "poor choice" without explaining why. Providing reasoning enhances clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poor choice" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "poor" modifies the noun "choice". It describes the quality of a decision or option, indicating that it is undesirable or substandard. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "poor choice" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that a decision, selection, or action was not ideal. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Analysis of real-world examples reveals its frequent use in news, scientific, and business contexts, with the goal of criticizing a bad decision. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly supports the assessment and provide reasons why the choice was suboptimal to enhance clarity and credibility. Remember that while acceptable in news and professional writing, scientific and formal contexts may require a high degree of explicitness. Consider using synonyms like "ill-advised decision" or "unfortunate selection" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unwise move

Suggests a lack of prudence or careful consideration in the action taken.

ill-advised decision

Highlights the lack of wisdom or foresight in making the decision.

injudicious action

Implies a lack of good sense or sound reasoning behind the action.

bad judgment call

Focuses on the failure of discernment or evaluation in the decision-making process.

regrettable pick

Implies that the choice is likely to lead to feelings of regret or disappointment.

unfortunate selection

Emphasizes the negative consequences or bad luck associated with the choice.

flawed preference

Suggests an inherent defect or weakness in the preferred choice.

error in selection

Directly points out a mistake made during the selection process.

suboptimal option

Indicates that the chosen option is not the best available, even if it's workable.

deficient alternative

Highlights the inadequacy or shortcoming of the chosen alternative.

FAQs

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

You can use "poor choice" to describe a decision, action, or selection that was not ideal. For example, "Choosing that career path was a "poor choice", as it didn't align with their skills.".

What are some alternatives to "poor choice"?

Alternatives include "unfortunate selection", "ill-advised decision", or "bad judgment call", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "poor choice" or "bad choice"?

"Poor choice" and "bad choice" are often interchangeable. However, "poor choice" might imply a lack of quality or suitability, while "bad choice" could suggest negative consequences or moral implications. The best option depends on the context.

What makes something a "poor choice"?

A "poor choice" typically results from inadequate information, flawed reasoning, or a mismatch between the selected option and the desired outcome. It often leads to negative consequences or missed opportunities.