poorly documented

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poorly documented" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where documents or records have not been properly or adequately recorded or stored for future reference. For example, "The project was poorly documented, so it was difficult to evaluate its success or failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The transitional period 1250 1300 is poorly documented.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A poorly documented loan made to a high-risk borrower.

The New York Times

In 2006, the Food and Drug Administration issued a poorly documented statement disputing marijuana's therapeutic value.

The New York Times

In addition, their behaviour under high-temperature metamorphic conditions is as yet poorly documented.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Asian sivaladapids remain poorly documented anatomically, especially in comparison with notharctines and adapids.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This uppermost unit is poorly documented.

Geothermal Energy

Nevertheless, this has been poorly documented.

Annals of Intensive Care

Hypotension was poorly documented on discharge.

Annals of Intensive Care

Acute and late toxicity is poorly documented.

Radiotherapy and Oncology

It can be crude, buggy, incomplete, and poorly documented.

TechCrunch

Wells scores were poorly documented (n = 127, 13.0 %).

Insights into Imaging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "poorly documented", ensure you can provide specific examples of what is lacking or inaccurate in the documentation to strengthen your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "poorly documented" when the subject is completely undocumented. The phrase implies that some documentation exists, even if it is inadequate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poorly documented" functions as an adjective modifying a noun. It describes something that lacks adequate or accurate documentation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically sound expression widely used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

15%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poorly documented" is a grammatically correct and common phrase used to describe something lacking sufficient or accurate documentation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used across diverse contexts. Its use implies that while some documentation exists, it is inadequate or unreliable. Related phrases include "inadequately documented" and "sparsely documented". When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the situation and that you can provide specific examples to support your claim. Be mindful not to use it when the subject is completely undocumented. The phrase frequently appears in scientific and news media contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Inadequately documented

This alternative emphasizes that the documentation is insufficient in quality or quantity.

Sparsely documented

This suggests that the documentation exists but is minimal and lacking in detail.

Thinly documented

Similar to 'sparsely documented', this highlights the lack of depth in the available records.

Badly documented

This phrase focuses on the poor quality or organization of the documentation.

Incompletely documented

This highlights that some parts are missing from documentation.

Weakly documented

This suggests that the evidence or support for something is not strong due to poor documentation.

Sketchily documented

This implies that only the basic outlines are present in the documentation, lacking specifics.

Fragmentarily documented

This means the documentation exists in incomplete fragments.

Unsubstantiated

This alternative shifts the focus to the lack of evidence, which may be due to poor documentation.

Undocumented

This implies that no documentation exists at all, a stronger statement than "poorly documented".

FAQs

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

You can use "poorly documented" to describe situations where records or information are incomplete, inaccurate, or difficult to access. For instance, "The historical event is "poorly documented", making it difficult to understand the context".

What are some alternatives to "poorly documented"?

Alternatives to "poorly documented" include "inadequately documented", "sparsely documented", or "badly documented", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "poorly documented" or "bad documented"?

"Poorly documented" is the correct and more common phrasing. "Bad documented" is grammatically incorrect. Use ""badly documented"" if you need an alternative.

What's the difference between "poorly documented" and "undocumented"?

"Poorly documented" suggests that some records exist but are insufficient or inaccurate, while "undocumented" implies that no records exist at all. Therefore, "undocumented" signifies a complete lack of documentation.