poorly compensated

USAGE SUMMARY

"poorly compensated" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation where someone is not paid adequately for their work or services. Example: Many workers in the industry feel they are poorly compensated for their efforts. Alternative expressions include "underpaid" and "inadequately compensated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Although American victims of economic development and "blight" condemnations are often poorly compensated, they generally get much more compensation than their Chinese counterparts.

The Washington Post

Clearly, the Craanes are not poorly compensated.

The New York Times

Yet New York City's police officers are poorly compensated relative to other urban forces.

The New York Times

– Richard "People working in manufacturing industries that lacked strong unions were always poorly compensated.

The New York Times

Other innovations, like group office visits and e-mailing with patients, are poorly compensated, if at all.

The New York Times

Drivers, tour operators and watchdog groups say that many employees receive no benefits, work long hours and are poorly compensated.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Feinberg was criticized by lawmakers for poorly compensating shrimp fishermen, who are experiencing one of the worst seasons in recent memory.

Huffington Post

And yet, although poorly conditioned and compensated, they are called upon to protect rooms full of fragile, invaluable objects.

The New York Times - Books

A multinational company cannot control the lack of overseas integrity that might exist where institutions of state are weak, procurement personnel are poorly trained and compensated and regulations are confusing and vague.

Forbes

As a result, everyone knows about Foxconn's labor relations and how its factories are run under tight security and employees are treated and compensated poorly.

Huffington Post

Rafting Grand Canyon is not cheap, and we knew that given how poorly most teachers are compensated for their hard work, this is an experience that is simply out of reach for too many.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "poorly compensated", be specific about what constitutes adequate compensation in the given context. Provide supporting data or comparisons to strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid assuming everyone agrees on what constitutes "poor" compensation. Clearly define the expected value, considering factors like experience, industry standards, and cost of living.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poorly compensated" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun (often implied or stated) to indicate that someone or something receives inadequate payment or remuneration. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, from describing workers' wages to characterizing compensation for land expropriation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "poorly compensated" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe inadequate payment or remuneration. Ludwig AI indicates that its usage spans across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science, highlighting issues of fairness and equity in compensation. While generally neutral, its impact can be strengthened by providing specific details about expected compensation and supporting data. Alternatives such as "underpaid" or "inadequately remunerated" can be used for variety or to adjust the level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poorly remunerated

A slightly more formal synonym for "poorly compensated".

underpaid

A more concise and direct way to say someone receives insufficient pay.

under-compensated

Uses a hyphenated form for emphasis, implying a systemic issue.

insufficiently paid

A more formal and precise way to describe inadequate payment.

inadequately remunerated

A more formal and emphatic way to say someone's compensation is not sufficient.

badly paid

A straightforward alternative, focusing on the negative aspect of the payment.

meagerly compensated

Emphasizes the small amount of compensation received.

unfairly compensated

Highlights the injustice or inequity in the compensation.

deficiently rewarded

Focuses on the lack of appropriate reward for efforts or contributions.

economically disadvantaged

Broader term referring to overall financial disadvantage, not solely compensation.

FAQs

How can I use "poorly compensated" in a sentence?

You can use "poorly compensated" to describe a situation where someone is not adequately paid for their work. For example: "Many teachers feel they are "poorly compensated" for their dedication."

What's a less direct way to say "poorly compensated"?

Instead of saying "poorly compensated", you could use phrases like "underpaid" or "inadequately remunerated" to soften the tone.

Is "poorly compensated" a formal or informal expression?

"Poorly compensated" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "inadequately remunerated" might be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What factors determine if someone is "poorly compensated"?

Whether someone is "poorly compensated" depends on various factors, including industry standards, experience level, job responsibilities, cost of living, and overall market conditions. Comparing their compensation to similar roles can help determine if they are "poorly compensated".