poorly written

USAGE SUMMARY

"poorly written" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that was written without care or thought, such as, "The essay was poorly written and lacked any evidence to support the thesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Very poorly written?

The New York Times - Books

Poorly written too.

The Guardian - Books

Poorly written article.

Harvard University

"It's dull and poorly written.

The New York Times

It's poorly written.

Cornell University

Poorly written abstracts will be rejected.

Cornell University

Yes, it's ridiculous and pretty poorly written.

The New York Times

Very general and poorly written SOPs are of limited use.

Handbook of Hygiene Control in the Food Industry

The result is essentially a poorly written interactive student film.

The New York Times - Tech

Conflict is only ever a poorly written email away.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The scammer produces a poorly-written post on Harvard.edu by someone we assume is from Harvard.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When critiquing writing, be specific about the flaws. Instead of saying something is "poorly written", point out issues such as lack of clarity, weak arguments, or grammatical errors.

Common error

Avoid using "poorly written" as a standalone critique. It lacks detail and doesn't provide constructive feedback. Always explain why something is poorly written to help the writer improve.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poorly written" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the quality of something that has been written, indicating deficiencies in its composition, clarity, or overall execution. Ludwig AI indicates its common and acceptable usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poorly written" is a common and acceptable phrase used to describe writing that is deficient in quality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. While versatile, it's most effective when paired with specific details regarding the writing's flaws. To provide constructive feedback, avoid using it as a standalone critique; instead, elaborate on issues such as grammatical errors, lack of clarity, or weak arguments. Alternative phrases like "badly written" or "ineffectively written" can be used depending on the context. Ultimately, "poorly written" serves as a concise way to express dissatisfaction with the quality of written content across diverse registers, as shown in examples from various sources like news outlets, scientific publications, and academic resources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

badly written

Emphasizes the low quality of the writing itself.

poorly constructed

Highlights the lack of structural integrity in the writing.

badly composed

Focuses on the poor arrangement and organization of the writing.

shoddily written

Indicates a lack of care and attention to detail in the writing process.

ineffectively written

Stresses the failure of the writing to achieve its intended purpose.

clumsily written

Suggests awkwardness and lack of finesse in the writing style.

weakly written

Highlights the lack of strength and impact in the writing.

poorly crafted

Emphasizes the lack of skill and artistry in the writing.

amateurishly written

Points to a lack of professional quality in the writing.

deficiently written

Emphasizes the writing's shortcomings and inadequacies.

FAQs

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

When something is described as "poorly written", it generally means the writing suffers from issues such as lack of clarity, grammatical errors, poor structure, weak arguments, or ineffective communication.

How can I improve "poorly written" content?

To improve "poorly written" content, focus on clarifying your ideas, correcting grammatical errors, improving the structure and flow, strengthening arguments with evidence, and ensuring effective communication of your message. Consider using tools like Grammarly or seeking feedback from others.

What are some synonyms for "poorly written"?

Some synonyms for "poorly written" include "badly written", "ineffectively written", "badly composed", or "clumsily written". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I identify if an email is "poorly written" and potentially a scam?

A "poorly written" email, especially one associated with scams or phishing attempts, often contains numerous grammatical errors, misspellings, awkward phrasing, and an unprofessional tone. These errors are often deliberate to filter out more perceptive targets.