poorly developed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poorly developed" is correct and usable in written English, and it is often used to describe something that has not been fully developed or is lacking in quality.
For example, you might say: "The student's discussion of the topic was poorly developed and failed to provide any meaningful insight."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Soils are poorly developed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Poorly developed banks do not help.

The Economist

River and sea transport is poorly developed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Agriculture is poorly developed in the region.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The local transport network is poorly developed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"A poorly developed test is potentially as dangerous as a poorly developed drug".

The New York Times

Transportation is poorly developed in most of the state.

Britannica

Essentially, they were struggling with poorly developed executive function skills.

Harvard University

Special organs of sense are otherwise poorly developed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Banding (foliation) is typically poorly developed or absent.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Is the system so poorly developed that we have no other solution or option?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "poorly developed", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is lacking in development. Be specific about the deficiencies to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "poorly developed" as a vague criticism. Instead, identify the specific aspects that are underdeveloped and explain why those shortcomings are problematic. For example, don't just say "the plan was poorly developed"; instead state, "the plan was poorly developed due to a lack of market research and a failure to consider potential risks."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poorly developed" functions primarily as a modifier, specifically an adjectival phrase, used to describe a noun. It indicates that the noun it modifies lacks adequate development or is deficient in some aspect. As shown by Ludwig, it signifies a state of incompleteness or inadequacy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

27%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poorly developed" functions as an adjectival phrase to denote a lack of adequate development or a deficiency in quality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, as shown by the many examples across diverse contexts such as encyclopedias, news media, science, and academia. While the phrase carries a neutral tone, its communicative purpose is often critical, highlighting a need for improvement or further attention. When employing "poorly developed", clarity and specificity are crucial to ensure that the intended message is effectively conveyed. Several alternative expressions can be used, such as "underdeveloped" or "incompletely developed", to fine-tune the nuance of your description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incompletely developed

Focuses on the unfinished or lacking aspect of the development.

underdeveloped

A more concise and direct synonym.

insufficiently developed

Emphasizes the inadequacy of the development.

rudimentary

Suggests a basic or initial stage of development.

scarcely developed

Highlights the minimal extent of development.

badly developed

Indicates development with flaws or errors.

weakly developed

Focuses on the feebleness or fragility of the development.

improperly developed

Highlights the incorrect or unsuitable way the development occurred.

thinly developed

Suggests a lack of depth or substance in the development.

loosely developed

Suggests a lack of cohesion or structure in the development.

FAQs

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

You can use "poorly developed" to describe something that is not fully formed or has significant deficiencies. For example: "The country's infrastructure is "poorly developed"" or "His interpersonal skills were "poorly developed"."

What are some alternatives to "poorly developed"?

Some alternatives to "poorly developed" include "underdeveloped", "incompletely developed", "insufficiently developed", or "rudimentary". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "poorly developed" or "underdeveloped"?

Both "poorly developed" and "underdeveloped" are acceptable. "Underdeveloped" is generally more concise and widely used, but "poorly developed" can add emphasis to the substandard quality of the development.

What does it mean when something is described as "poorly developed"?

When something is described as "poorly developed", it means that it is lacking in some crucial aspect of its growth, progress, or quality. This can refer to physical development, such as a "poorly developed muscle", or abstract development, such as a "poorly developed plan".