poor harvest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poor harvest" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a low or unsuccessful yield of crops. Examples: - The farmers were disappointed by the poor harvest this year due to the drought. - The country's economy suffered due to poor harvests in the agricultural sector. - Despite their efforts, the farmers could not improve the poor harvest caused by the infestation of pests.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Food supplies meant to tide people over through this poor harvest are already running out.

The New York Times

But the poor harvest may leave indebted farmers with no choice but to keep raising opium.

The New York Times

In 1954 another poor harvest obliged Turkey to import wheat again.

Britannica

Instability has worsened an already precarious food security situation: a poor harvest, poor food supplies and volatile food prices.

The Guardian

But changing weather patterns have meant they sometimes struggle to cope with demand when there is a poor harvest.

The Guardian

Still, U.S. drinkers shouldn't get too comfortable: Experts say this year's poor harvest is a harbinger of challenges to come.

The Washington Post

Perhaps farmers will be able to buy weather products at their local bank as a hedge against a poor harvest.

The Economist

A poor harvest would also feed Roberts's more profound concern: can his 110 acres of vines yield enough fruit to meet the enormous demand for his wines?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In Chad and Niger, the combination of poor harvest and flash flooding has put 8 million people at risk of starving to death this summer.

The Guardian - Opinion

And even this major hospital has little to give them, after a record poor harvest, during North Korea's coldest winter in 50 years.

The New York Times

The pressure intensified in June after floods washed away farm fields in the Midwest, leading to fears of a poor harvest.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of a "poor harvest", be specific about the consequences, such as food shortages, economic hardship, or increased reliance on imports.

Common error

Avoid using "poor harvest" when you mean that the process of harvesting was done badly. Instead, use "poor harvesting practices" to describe inefficient or damaging methods.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poor harvest" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "poor" modifies the noun "harvest". It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing the outcome of an agricultural season. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "poor harvest" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a season with low crop yields. Ludwig AI identifies its frequent use in various sources, especially News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific contexts. Consequences of a "poor harvest" often include food shortages and economic challenges. To avoid confusion, remember that "poor harvest" describes the result, while "poor harvesting practices" refers to how the harvest was conducted. Related phrases like "crop failure" and "low crop yield" can provide alternative ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed harvest

Highlights the lack of success in gathering crops, directly mirroring the meaning of "poor harvest".

low crop yield

Specifically refers to the reduced quantity of crops produced per unit area.

crop failure

Emphasizes the complete loss of crops, suggesting a more severe outcome than just a low yield.

bad crop

A simpler, more direct way of saying the crop was of low quality or quantity.

scarce harvest

Emphasizes the limited availability of crops, suggesting potential food shortages.

unsuccessful crop

Indicates the lack of desired results from the farming efforts.

meager yield

Focuses on the small quantity of crops produced, indicating scarcity.

unfruitful harvest

Highlights the lack of productivity in the harvest, implying a disappointing outcome.

inadequate crop

Focuses on the insufficiency of the crop to meet the required needs.

deficient crop

Points out the inadequacy of the harvest in terms of quantity or quality.

FAQs

What are the consequences of a "poor harvest"?

A "poor harvest" can lead to food shortages, increased food prices, economic hardship for farmers, and potential reliance on food imports.

What causes a "poor harvest"?

Several factors can contribute to a "poor harvest", including drought, flooding, pests, diseases, lack of resources, and climate change.

What's the difference between a "poor harvest" and "crop failure"?

A "poor harvest" indicates a reduced yield, while "crop failure" suggests a complete or near-complete loss of crops.

How does a "poor harvest" affect the economy?

A "poor harvest" can negatively impact the economy by reducing agricultural output, increasing food prices, and affecting related industries such as food processing and transportation.