poor practice

USAGE SUMMARY

"poor practice" is a correct and usable phrase in written English that is typically used to describe a behavior or habit that is considered to be below standard or not recommended.
It is often used in formal writing, such as in business documents or academic papers, to critique or criticize certain actions. Here is an example: "It is considered poor practice to not properly cite sources in a research paper, as it can lead to accusations of plagiarism."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Poor practice is not inevitable.

The Guardian

"I still think there is some poor practice," she said.

The Guardian

The Guardian investigation last month revealed poor practice at the abattoir in Scunthorpe.

The Guardian

Council scrutiny, among many others, completely missed the poor practice buried in dodgy statistics and reports.

The Guardian

Whistleblowing about poor practice and poor organisations should be encouraged and promoted.

The Guardian

It is worrying that inspectors saw examples of poor practice that I've no doubt would shock parents and learners alike".

The Guardian

In his report, Mr Wyatt concludes the row came about because of "misjudgments, poor practice and ineffective systems".

The Guardian

Not all onerous bills are the product of poor practice and they burden a significant minority rather than a majority.

The Guardian

But public trust may be lost unless all who work in the NHS take responsibility to root out poor practice.

The Guardian

With poor practice facilities, Providence will be hard pressed to keep Welsh even if it pays him fair market value.

The New York Times - Sports

Karl was particularly upset with a poor practice Tuesday and questioned their willingness to do the little things.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing a process or behavior, specify the area of concern by using "poor practice in [area]" to narrow down the problem and provide clarity for corrective action.

Common error

Avoid using "poor practice" as a blanket statement. Provide specific examples or context to illustrate the issue, making the criticism more actionable and less vague.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poor practice" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a sentence or following a linking verb. As Ludwig examples demonstrate, it describes a condition or behavior that falls below an acceptable standard. It is used to identify and categorize actions needing improvement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "poor practice" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes a behavior or action that doesn't meet the expected standards, suitable for formal and informal settings. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse fields like news, science, and business. When using this phrase, specify the context to make the criticism more actionable. Related phrases include "bad practice", "ineffective practice", and "substandard procedure", each with slight differences in connotation. By understanding its nuances and usage, writers can use "poor practice" effectively to highlight areas needing improvement and suggest corrective measures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bad practice

Replaces "poor" with "bad", indicating a more negative or harmful connotation.

ineffective practice

Focuses on the lack of positive results from the practice.

substandard procedure

Shifts the focus to a specific procedure that does not meet required standards.

deficient method

Highlights the inadequacy or incompleteness of the method used.

faulty technique

Emphasizes errors or flaws in the specific technique applied.

inadequate process

Directs attention to the insufficient or unsuitable nature of the process.

unsatisfactory habit

Focuses on a recurring action that produces undesirable outcomes.

careless approach

Highlights the lack of diligence or attention in the method employed.

negligent conduct

Implies a failure to exercise the appropriate level of care, potentially leading to harm.

unprofessional behavior

Points to actions that do not meet the expected standards of a professional setting.

FAQs

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

You can use "poor practice" to describe substandard or inadequate actions. For example, "The investigation revealed "poor practice" in data handling processes".

What are some alternatives to saying "poor practice"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "bad practice", "ineffective practice", or "substandard procedure".

Is it appropriate to use "poor practice" in formal writing?

Yes, "poor practice" is suitable for formal writing, especially when discussing areas that need improvement or when criticizing methods or behaviors that do not meet required standards.

What's the difference between "poor practice" and "negligence"?

"Poor practice" generally refers to actions that are below the expected standard, while "negligence" implies a failure to exercise the appropriate level of care, often resulting in harm or damage. "Negligent conduct" carries a stronger connotation of blame and potential legal consequences.