poor prospects

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poor prospects" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or outlook that is unfavorable or lacking in potential for success. Example: "The company's financial report indicated poor prospects for growth in the upcoming year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Here are 10 American industries with surprisingly poor prospects.

The New York Times

As a barber's daughters, the girls had poor prospects.

The New York Times

Among Republicans, Senator John McCain has lots of experience but poor prospects.

The Economist

But she said poor prospects for exports and energy were holding the sector back.

The Guardian - Business

People have been withdrawing from the labor market in greater numbers because of their poor prospects.

The New York Times

Is the media being too general when reporting that graduates have poor prospects?

The Guardian - Opinion

We're starting with the unemployed, homeless, people with a hard life and poor prospects.

The Guardian

Very soon, his poor prospects set the limits of his fatherhood.

The New York Times - Magazine

The accounts from the Southern States complain much of the poor prospects of the Cotton and Tobacco crops.

The Economist

This is enough to start mopping up the misery that was bred by poor prospects for jobs and housing.

The Economist

Those who make a career in dance face poor prospects, a short working life and low pay.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing business or economic forecasts, use "poor prospects" to succinctly convey a pessimistic view of future performance or growth.

Common error

Avoid using "poor prospects" in casual conversation; opt for simpler phrases like "not looking good" or "things are tough" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poor prospects" functions as a noun phrase, where 'poor' modifies 'prospects'. It serves to qualify or characterize the nature of future possibilities, indicating they are unfavorable. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poor prospects" is a commonly used phrase to describe unfavorable future possibilities, primarily in news, business, and scientific contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct. While versatile, it is best suited for formal and neutral registers. For more casual conversations, consider using alternatives like "not looking good" or "things are tough". When writing, remember that overuse of this phrase can make your writing sound repetitive. When you need to communicate a similar meaning but with different words, think about "bleak outlook" or "limited potential".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bleak outlook

Focuses more on the overall situation being negative or unfavorable.

dismal future

Emphasizes the negative aspects of what is to come.

limited potential

Highlights the restriction in possible development or achievement.

unpromising outlook

Similar to 'bleak outlook' but stresses the lack of promise.

gloomy prospects

Uses 'gloomy' to describe the negative emotional tone of the outlook.

unfavorable conditions

Shifts focus to the circumstances contributing to the negative outlook.

depressing outlook

Emphasizes the disheartening nature of the future possibilities.

slim chances

Indicates a low probability of success.

bad omen

Suggests impending misfortune or failure.

tenuous possibilities

Highlights the weakness and uncertainty of future opportunities.

FAQs

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

You can use "poor prospects" to describe a situation or outlook lacking potential. For example, "The industry faces "poor prospects" due to changing market conditions."

What are some alternatives to "poor prospects"?

Alternatives to "poor prospects" include "bleak outlook", "dismal future", or "limited potential", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "poor prospects" in writing?

"Poor prospects" is suitable for formal writing, such as business reports, news articles, or academic papers, where a concise and objective description of unfavorable future possibilities is needed.

Is there a difference between "poor prospects" and "bleak outlook"?

While both phrases indicate a negative future, "poor prospects" focuses on the lack of potential or opportunity, while "bleak outlook" emphasizes the overall negativity and lack of hope in the situation.