poor visibility

USAGE SUMMARY

"poor visibility" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation where the visibility is lower than usual due to fog, haze, or dust. For example, "The sky was filled with fog and the poor visibility caused the pilot to change course."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Poor visibility, flights cancelled, collisions.

The Economist

Poor visibility has been reported.

The Guardian

The airport blamed poor visibility.

The Guardian

"They should not be out there in bad weather or poor visibility," he said.

The New York Times

Firefighter Joe Duke was inside the plant, but heavy smoke and poor visibility drove him out.

The New York Times

Time-ball operators complained of adverse weather conditions, poor visibility, and faulty signals.

The New Yorker

The captain also knows the plane's limits for navigation and landing in poor visibility.

The New York Times

Tidal currents have moved the sunken vehicles and poor visibility in the waterway hampered recovery efforts.

The New York Times

Mr. Tomasovic said the attack may have been a result of poor visibility in the water.

The New York Times

While this makes for poor visibility, most anglers will take quality fishing over scenery any day.

The New York Times - Sports

It was later thought that due to poor visibility he collided with a mountain.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific cause of the "poor visibility" (fog, smoke, rain) for a more descriptive and impactful statement.

Common error

Avoid using "poor visibility" metaphorically when describing abstract concepts like project planning or market analysis. While tempting, it's more effective to use terms like "lack of clarity" or "limited insight" to maintain professionalism and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poor visibility" functions as a noun phrase, where "poor" modifies the noun "visibility". It describes a state or condition of limited or reduced visual clarity. Ludwig examples show it frequently used in describing conditions that hinder sight.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

14%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poor visibility" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe conditions where sight is limited. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and general informational writing. While alternatives like "low visibility" or "reduced visibility" exist, "poor visibility" is a reliable and effective choice for conveying this meaning. Remember to reserve this phrase for concrete conditions affecting sight and avoid using it metaphorically. Top sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian employ this phrase frequently, affirming its widespread acceptance and utility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

low visibility

Focuses on the degree of visibility, implying it is significantly reduced.

reduced visibility

Emphasizes the act of visibility being lessened.

impaired visibility

Highlights the diminished quality of sight.

limited visibility

Suggests a restriction on how far one can see.

obscured visibility

Indicates that the view is blocked or hidden.

unclear view

Simple way to express a lack of clarity in what is seen.

bad viewing conditions

Focuses on external conditions that affect the ability to see clearly.

restricted view

Implies a physical or environmental barrier limiting sight.

difficult to see

Describes the experience of struggling to perceive something clearly.

hazy conditions

Highlights the presence of haze affecting sight.

FAQs

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

You can use "poor visibility" to describe weather conditions, such as "The flight was delayed due to "poor visibility" caused by fog" or situations affecting sight, like "The search was hampered by "poor visibility" underwater".

What are some alternatives to "poor visibility"?

Alternatives include "low visibility", "reduced visibility", or "impaired visibility". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "bad visibility" instead of "poor visibility"?

While "bad visibility" is understandable and commonly used, "poor visibility" is generally considered more formal and preferred in professional or official contexts. Both convey the same meaning.

What causes "poor visibility"?

"Poor visibility" can be caused by various factors including fog, smoke, heavy rain, snow, dust, or haze. These conditions reduce the distance at which objects can be clearly seen.