poorly informed about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poorly informed about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who lacks knowledge or understanding about a particular topic or issue. Example: "Many citizens are poorly informed about the implications of the new policy changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Worryingly, he said, Europeans are poorly informed about China.

The New York Times

Often, consumers are poorly informed about the savings on offer.

The Economist

The public were poorly informed about some core plastic surgery including burns, melanoma and hand surgery.

British Journal of Plastic Surgery

Similarly, capitals often felt poorly informed about developments of interest to them.

Britannica

We found that many doctors are poorly informed about these issues.

The Washington Post

You probably won't be surprised to hear that voters are poorly informed about the deficit.

The New York Times

People with food allergies live under a constant threat, in a society that is still poorly informed about the condition.

The New Yorker

Despite being an MP, the president's wife appears "poorly informed about political issues", US diplomats tell Washington.

The Guardian

Nonetheless, Ms. Hunter-Gault has made her point: white South Africans may be poorly informed about their own country.

The New York Times - Arts

Most people are poorly informed about history and do take history-based films to represent what did happen.

The New York Times

Investors were poorly informed about how to deal with problem brokers and losses from investment fraud, and most did not understand how margin accounts worked.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "poorly informed about", ensure that the context clearly indicates the specific topic or area about which someone lacks knowledge. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that being "poorly informed about" a topic implies a lack of intelligence or effort. It may simply indicate a lack of access to information or a lack of exposure to the subject matter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poorly informed about" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe their state of lacking information on a specific subject. This is supported by Ludwig, which indicates the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "poorly informed about" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a lack of knowledge or understanding on a particular topic. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as an adjectival phrase and is used to highlight a deficiency in information. It appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts, indicating its versatility and widespread usage. Related phrases include "unaware of", "misinformed about", and "lacking knowledge of". It's important to use this phrase with clarity and avoid making assumptions about intelligence or effort. Overall, "poorly informed about" is a valuable and widely applicable phrase for expressing a lack of knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misinformed about

Indicates that the information possessed is incorrect or misleading, rather than simply lacking.

lacking knowledge of

A more formal and direct way of stating a deficiency in knowledge.

unaware of

Emphasizes a lack of consciousness or realization about something.

unfamiliar with

Implies a lack of direct experience or knowledge; slightly less direct than "poorly informed".

ignorant of

Suggests a more pronounced lack of knowledge, potentially implying a conscious disregard for information.

in the dark about

An informal idiom suggesting a state of unawareness or secrecy.

not conversant with

Indicates a lack of familiarity and skill in discussing or dealing with a subject.

uneducated in

Highlights a lack of formal instruction or learning.

naive about

Suggests a lack of experience and worldly knowledge, leading to a lack of understanding.

clueless about

Informal term denoting a complete lack of understanding or competence.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "poorly informed about" something?

Being "poorly informed about" something means lacking adequate knowledge or understanding about a particular topic. It suggests a deficiency in information, which can lead to misunderstandings or incorrect conclusions.

What's a more formal alternative to "poorly informed about"?

A more formal alternative to "poorly informed about" is "lacking knowledge of". This phrase conveys a similar meaning but is more suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it the same being "misinformed about" and "poorly informed about"?

No, "misinformed about" and "poorly informed about" are not the same. "Poorly informed about" suggests a lack of information, while "misinformed about" suggests possessing incorrect or misleading information.

How can I use "poorly informed about" in a sentence?

You can use "poorly informed about" in a sentence like this: "Many voters are poorly informed about the details of the proposed legislation."