poor reflection

USAGE SUMMARY

"poor reflection" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is a bad example or representation of something else. For example, “His work on this project was a poor reflection of his usual skill and attention to detail.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"A quiet, unassuming staffroom is a poor reflection.

The Guardian

It is a poor reflection on newspapers and some European nations.

The Economist

His understanding of the role of women in the economy was a poor reflection of his times.

The Guardian - Opinion

The N.C.A.A. tournament has been a poor reflection on the otherwise solid work of Texas Coach Rick Barnes.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's a poor reflection on the well-funded human rights community that these issues have been invisible to us".

The New York Times - Magazine

It will be a poor reflection on our election system if the only ones punished are the lawyers who tried to point out these deficiencies.

The New York Times

He continued, "These rabble-rousing behaviors are very disruptive to general medical care and are a poor reflection on Victoria medical community as a whole".

The New York Times

A clash of cultures is also evident, with the task force calling any fraud a poor reflection on the United Nations.

The New York Times

"There are many who say Corrie gives a poor reflection of our region, that somehow it's stuck in a timewarp," argues Corrie location tour guide Mark Llewellin.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Michael Jordan said that he was concerned about the state of officiating and the poor reflection it could have on the league.

The New York Times - Sports

He began promisingly, by apologizing to both Christine Blasey Ford and Brett Kavanaugh for the threats they have endured—"a poor reflection on the state of civility in our democracy". Then he detoured into partisan complaints.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "poor reflection" to critique a specific instance of representation, performance, or depiction that falls short of expectations or standards. This phrase is particularly effective when you want to convey disappointment or concern about the image or impression being projected.

Common error

While versatile, substituting "poor reflection" with more precise alternatives like "inadequate representation" or "suboptimal portrayal" can enhance clarity and sophistication in formal or technical writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poor reflection" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "poor" modifies the noun "reflection". It typically serves as a subject complement or predicate nominative, describing or characterizing the subject of a sentence. As Ludwig AI explains, the expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poor reflection" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that indicates something is a negative or inaccurate representation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in scientific and formal writing. When aiming for more precision, consider alternatives like "inadequate portrayal" or "negative impression". Keep in mind the advice given: use "poor reflection" to critique and to show some disappointment or concern about the image that is being projected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bad representation

Focuses on the negative quality of representing something.

misleading impression

Highlights the deceptive nature of the impression given.

negative impression

Stresses the unfavorable feeling or idea conveyed.

inadequate portrayal

Emphasizes the lack of accuracy or completeness in the depiction.

deficient representation

Focuses on the lack or shortage in the manner of representation.

unflattering image

Highlights the negative or unattractive nature of the presented image.

faulty presentation

Highlights errors or flaws in the way something is presented.

suboptimal depiction

Indicates that the portrayal is not the best possible.

skewed perspective

Emphasizes a biased or distorted viewpoint.

inaccurate account

Stresses the lack of truth or correctness in the narrative.

FAQs

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

You can use "poor reflection" to indicate that something is not representative or is a negative representation of something else. For instance, "The team's performance was a "poor reflection" of their potential".

What are some alternatives to saying "poor reflection"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "inadequate portrayal", "bad representation", or "negative impression".

Is it better to use "poor reflection" or "bad reflection"?

Both "poor reflection" and "bad reflection" are acceptable. "Poor reflection" might be considered slightly more formal, but the choice often depends on the specific context and desired tone.

What does it mean when something is described as a "poor reflection"?

It means that the thing being described is not a good or accurate representation of something else. It suggests that the representation is flawed, inadequate, or creates a negative impression.