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 prospect of
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "poor prospect of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the likelihood or potential for a positive outcome in a given situation, indicating that the chances are not favorable. Example: "The company faces a poor prospect of success in the current market due to increased competition."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Alternative expressions(19)
slim chance of
limited potential for
remote possibility of
low likelihood of
wishful thinking
meager hope of
slight chance of
minimal chance of
negligible likelihood of
slight likelihood of
narrow margin for
limited availability for
maximum potential for
limited opportunity for
limited openings for
poor outlook for
minimal capacity for
limited ability to
limited capacity for
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
Despite JPMorgan's relatively more stable businesses, Moody's Investors Service cut the bank's ratings Thursday to double-A-3 from double-A-2, citing the "poor prospect" of Morgan generating capital in the current recession as well as "broad challenges," including higher loan loss reserving and asset value deterioration.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
57 human-written examples
The projected slump in economic growth this year stems entirely from the poor prospects of the industry.
News & Media
The accounts from the Southern States complain much of the poor prospects of the Cotton and Tobacco crops.
News & Media
Anyway, how exactly would lopping the tall poppies improve the relatively poor prospects of the large percentage of children raised in single-parent households?
News & Media
This series started with Jeff Wilpon, the often clueless Mets chief operating officer, talking about the poor prospects of his own underfinanced, Madoff-crippled team.
News & Media
Jac Nasser, Ford's chief executive, suggests that it was not the huge debts of the company that frightened Ford; it was simply the poor prospects of turning its losses (around $1.5 billion-2 billion, according to industry sources) into profits.
News & Media
While Republicans are a decided minority in the Assembly and have poor prospects of winning the governor's office in November, they are neck and neck with Democrats in the State Senate, which the Democrats control by a 32-to-30 32-to-30 32-to-30
News & Media
Nearly two-fifths of the workforce now falls into this "irregular" category (see chart).For Soichiro Takashima, the young mayor of Fukuoka, a city on the southern island of Kyushu, it is the poor prospects of Japan's youth that Mr Abe's reforms must improve.
News & Media
So Capital One and North Fork both want to get into each other's business to water down the poor prospects of their own.
News & Media
Facing poor prospects of academic appointments, some postdocs are following emerging opportunities right to the private sector.
Science & Research
Increased flexibility [ 10- 12] has led to more diverse employment arrangements, and the spectrum of unemployment ranges from a 'buffer work force' with underemployment and occasional unemployment episodes to a 'hard core' of long-term unemployed with poor prospects of re-employment on the open labour market.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "poor prospect of", consider the audience and context. More formal alternatives, such as "unfavorable prognosis for", may be suitable for academic or professional writing. In contrast, "slim chance of" could fit better in less formal contexts.
Common error
Avoid using "poor" too frequently as a general descriptor of negative situations. Instead of stating something has a "poor prospect of" success, try describing why the prospect is unfavorable. For example, instead of saying "the project has a "poor prospect of" success", specify "the project's prospect of success is undermined by budget constraints and lack of resources."
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.2/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "poor prospect of" functions as a noun phrase, where "poor" modifies "prospect". It usually acts as a subject complement or an object of a preposition, describing the unfavorable outlook or potential of a particular situation or entity, similar to how Ludwig AI views it.
Frequent in
News & Media
45%
Science
35%
Formal & Business
10%
Less common in
Wiki
5%
Encyclopedias
3%
Reference
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "poor prospect of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote an unfavorable outlook or limited potential. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While generally neutral in tone, it leans toward formality and is commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts. To enhance writing, consider tailoring the phrasing to the specific context and avoiding overuse of "poor" as a qualifier. Alternatives like "bleak outlook for" or "slim chance of" can add variety. Being mindful of these nuances will allow writers to effectively communicate the intended meaning while maintaining clarity and precision.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
bleak outlook for
Emphasizes a pessimistic view of the future.
slim chance of
Highlights the low probability of success.
dismal outlook for
Similar to 'bleak outlook', but perhaps more intense.
limited potential for
Focuses on the restricted capacity for growth or success.
unfavorable prognosis for
More formal and often used in medical or financial contexts.
meager likelihood of
Emphasizes the scant possibility of something happening.
remote possibility of
Indicates that something is unlikely to occur.
tenuous chance of
Suggests a weak or fragile possibility.
minimal opportunity for
Highlights the lack of available chances or openings.
dubious outlook for
Expresses uncertainty and doubt about the future.
FAQs
How can I use "poor prospect of" in a sentence?
You can use "poor prospect of" to describe situations where the likelihood of a positive outcome is low. For instance, "Due to the economic downturn, there's a "poor prospect of" significant job growth this year."
What are some alternatives to "poor prospect of"?
Alternatives include "bleak outlook for", "slim chance of", or "limited potential for", depending on the context.
Is "poor prospect of" formal or informal?
"Poor prospect of" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. For more formal settings, consider "unfavorable prognosis for". For informal contexts, "slim chance of" might be more appropriate.
How does "poor prospect of" differ from "remote possibility of"?
"Poor prospect of" suggests a general lack of potential for success, while "remote possibility of" indicates that something is highly unlikely, bordering on improbable. The former focuses on overall potential, while the latter emphasizes the low probability of occurrence.
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
84%
Authority and reliability
4.2/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested