poorly adapted for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poorly adapted for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not well-suited or not effectively adjusted for a particular purpose or environment. Example: "The species is poorly adapted for survival in extreme climates, leading to its decline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Many aquatic vertebrates, whose limbs are often short and poorly adapted for terrestrial movement, are restricted to crawling when on land.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sharp pointed teeth, poorly adapted for chewing, generally characterize meat eaters such as snakes, dogs, and cats; and broad, flat teeth, well adapted for chewing, characterize herbivores.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The hemagglutinin of 2013 avian-origin H7N9 influenza virus is poorly adapted for efficient human-to-human transmission.

Science Magazine

Wavevlets provide a robust representation for one-dimensional piecewise smooth signals, but they are poorly adapted for higher-dimensional phenomena such as edges and contours[15].

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

The other side counters that our distant ancestors' arms, legs, and feet were more humanlike than apelike and poorly adapted for climbing.

Science Magazine

Some of the individual processes and steps are poorly adapted for continuous production since they were designed for micro-electronics applications rather than photovoltaics.

Computers & Chemical Engineering

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

While a poorly adapted animal can survive for years in a harsh ecosystem, even a slight worsening of their conditions can have devastating effects.

The New York Times - Magazine

Therefore, selection for "poorly" adapted codons at the 5′-end on mRNA is a mechanism to reduce deleterious ribosomal traffic jams on the messenger and control the rate of peptide elongation [ 57– 57].

Biotechnology journal

Conversely, living with the neobladder was difficult for the poorly adapted group.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

As multivariate logistic regression can handle a limited number of covariates simultaneously [ 9], it might therefore be poorly adapted to large epidemiologic datasets for identifying independent associations.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Both the phenotype-based techniques and molecular tests are time-consuming (at least 12 24 hours) and are poorly adapted to the clinical need for isolating patients rapidly to prevent nosocomial outbreaks.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "poorly adapted for", ensure the context clearly defines the specific environment, task, or condition for which something is ill-suited. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "poorly adapted for" without specifying what the subject is poorly adapted for. Vague statements can weaken your argument. Instead of saying "This design is poorly adapted", specify "This design is poorly adapted for high-volume manufacturing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poorly adapted for" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its lack of suitability or adjustment to a specific condition or purpose. Ludwig examples illustrate its use across varied contexts, ranging from describing animal traits to evaluating the effectiveness of methods.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

17%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poorly adapted for" is a phrase used to describe something that is not well-suited or effectively adjusted for a specific purpose or environment. It's grammatically correct and most commonly found in scientific and academic contexts. As Ludwig AI shows, the phrase effectively highlights mismatches or deficiencies. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what exactly the subject is poorly adapted for, thereby avoiding ambiguity. Alternatives such as "ill-suited to" or "not well suited for" can provide similar meanings in different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ill-suited to

Replaces "poorly adapted" with a more direct synonym, emphasizing the lack of suitability.

not well suited for

A simpler and more common way to express the same idea.

inadequately prepared for

Focuses on the lack of preparation, implying a deficiency in readiness.

poorly matched to

Highlights a mismatch between the subject and the requirements of a situation.

unfit for

Highlights the lack of fitness or capability for a particular purpose.

badly equipped for

Emphasizes the lack of necessary resources or equipment.

deficient in

Highlights a specific deficiency that makes something unsuitable.

unfavorable for

Implies conditions are unfavorable for a particular use.

not designed for

Focuses on the original intent or design not being aligned with a specific use.

not cut out for

An informal expression indicating a lack of inherent qualities or abilities.

FAQs

What does "poorly adapted for" mean?

The phrase "poorly adapted for" describes something that is not well-suited or effectively adjusted to a specific purpose, environment, or condition.

What's a more formal way to say "poorly adapted for"?

More formal alternatives include "ill-suited to", "inadequately prepared for", or "unfit for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "poorly adapted for" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe organisms, tools, or methods that are not well-suited for a particular context. For example, "The reptile is poorly adapted for cold climates" or "The current system is poorly adapted for handling large volumes of data."

What are some synonyms for "poorly adapted for"?

Synonyms include "not well suited for", "badly equipped for", and "deficient in". Choose the synonym that best fits the specific meaning you want to express.