Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
poor on work
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "poor on work" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to describe someone who is not performing well in their job or tasks, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "His performance has been poor on work lately, and he needs to improve."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Wiki
Science
Alternative expressions(1)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
One of the principal aims of the Elizabethan poor law, apart from the relief of the "aged and impotent" was "to set the poor on work".
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
57 human-written examples
Again and again in the Gospels, Jesus mentions our responsibility to care for the poor, to work on their behalf, to stand with them.
News & Media
Her 1575 Poor Act required towns to create "a competent stock of wool, hemp, flax, iron and other stuff" for the poor to work on and houses of correction for those who refused to work where recalcitrant or careless workers could be forced to work and punished accordingly.
Wiki
All of that said, the focus of his papacy is squarely on God's preferential option for the poor and on works of mercy, justice, compassion, and love as being at the heart of the Gospel and, dare I say, at the heart of Jesus.
News & Media
If PCNA and topoisomerase IIα are YB-1-responsive genes in BLBC, it would explain why the expression of this transcription factor is clearly associated with poor survival, based on work previously done by us [ 4] and others [ 56].
Science
MBP was associated with poorer scores on working memory (β = 1.53; 95% CI, −0.01 to 3.07), but in general, the molar sum effects were consistent in direction and magnitude with the metabolite specific effects.
Add in other new federal programmes, such as tax credits for child care and a general child tax credit as well as vastly increased spending by the states on the working poor and it is clear that incentives for the poor to work have multiplied.
News & Media
The riveting flaws in the roof of the Southwest Airlines jet that recently tore open in flight appear to be poor manufacturing work on that one plane rather than a broader design failure, Boeing's chief executive said Wednesday.
News & Media
The Labour MP added: "We would have expected the department to have exercised particular caution in letting this contact, given the poor performance of Atos on work capability assessments".
News & Media
Through his brother, a crooked contractor, Uxbal hopes to get these poor souls work on a building site in return for a massive upfront cut from their pay.
News & Media
Officials from the World Monuments Fund came, as did Richard Porter, the director of the Wally Findlay Galleries in New York and an expert on Poor's work.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Avoid using the phrase "poor on work" in formal writing. Opt for more standard phrases like "poor at work" or "underperforming in work" to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness.
Common error
A common mistake is using "on" instead of "at" or "in" when describing someone's ability in a particular area. Remember to use "at" or "in" to indicate skill or proficiency.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "poor on work" functions as a descriptive phrase, attempting to characterize the quality of someone's work or performance. However, Ludwig AI indicates it's not grammatically correct. The intended function is to express inadequacy or deficiency in a work-related context.
Frequent in
News & Media
30%
Wiki
25%
Science
25%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
5%
Formal & Business
5%
Reference
5%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "poor on work" attempts to describe inadequate performance, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's a rare expression, and more appropriate alternatives like "poor at work" or "underperforming in work" should be favored, especially in formal and professional settings. The phrase appears infrequently across various sources, including news media, wikis, and scientific publications, but its limited usage and grammatical issues suggest avoiding it in favor of clearer and more conventional phrasing.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
poor at work
Replaces 'on' with 'at', providing a more standard and grammatically accepted preposition to indicate a lack of skill or ability.
bad at work
Uses 'bad' instead of 'poor' to describe a lack of proficiency.
deficient in work
Uses 'deficient' to emphasize a lack of necessary qualities or skills in the context of work.
lacking in work quality
Focuses specifically on the substandard quality of the work produced.
substandard work performance
Emphasizes that the performance level is below an acceptable standard.
inadequate work
Highlights the insufficiency of the work done to meet requirements.
ineffective at work
Focuses on the lack of positive results or impact from work efforts.
underperforming in work
Highlights the failure to meet expected performance levels in the job.
weak in work skills
Emphasizes a deficiency in the skills necessary for effective work.
struggling with work
Indicates difficulty and a lack of ease or success in performing work-related tasks.
FAQs
What is a more grammatically correct way to say "poor on work"?
A more grammatically correct way to express the same idea is to say "poor at work" or "underperforming in work".
When is it appropriate to use the phrase "poor on work"?
The phrase "poor on work" is not generally considered standard English and should be avoided in formal writing. It's better to use alternatives like "poor at work" or "bad at work".
Which is correct, "poor on work" or "poor at work"?
"Poor at work" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "Poor on work" is not considered standard English.
What does it mean when someone is described as "poor on work"?
The phrase "poor on work" is intended to convey that someone is not performing well in their job or tasks, but it is not grammatically correct. Use "poor at work" or similar phrases instead.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested