shoddy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "shoddy" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective which means "made or done carelessly or hastily, of poor quality." For example, "The painter used shoddy supplies which quickly peeled off the walls."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The former foreign secretary Malcolm Rifkind went further, saying the papers showed "Labour up to its neck in a shoddy business, one of the most foolish and shameful decisions in recent years".

The Guardian

The carriages rattled with engine vibration and looked shoddy and cheap – evidence that northern England, which invented railway travel, has some of the worst rail infrastructure in Europe, now being put right only slowly and belatedly, despite all the talk of developing a "northern powerhouse".

The Guardian - Opinion

Because, at the moment, a 10-year-old boy allocated a teaching assistant two days a week by a shoddy headteacher isn't good enough for me.

The Guardian

Ukip MP Douglas Carswell also accused McLoughlin of making excuses and defending shoddy practices.

The Guardian

Aside from signing on with such a shoddy team behind him in the first place and also lashing out so publicly in recent times, the greatest mistake on Malthouse's part is that he so badly misjudged the strength of Carlton's playing list at the end of 2012.

The Guardian - Sport

As British people conduct candlelit vigils for prisoners of conscience, as we proudly proclaim a reinvigorated belief in freedom of speech in the face of terrorism and oppression, our own government is betraying every one of us in a shoddy chase for a few filthy quid from the executioners, the torturers and the oppressors.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nobody minds if the premises – four containers protected from the sun by a large tarpaulin – look a bit shoddy compared with the British ambassador's official residence nearby.

The Guardian - Sport

It's cheaper to buy a flat in Manhattan than in Malabar Hill, and you can be sure that shoddy materials will shortchange you in Mumbai.

The Guardian

Before his showbiz ascension, Carolla worked as a carpenter, so he's a good choice to front this crusading US reality show, chasing down cowboy builders on behalf of aggrieved homeowners and confronting the shoddy workmen until they promise to make things right.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Also, its construction was shoddy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For $4 you can buy a fridge magnet bearing Morris's dictum: "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful .Morris championed artisanship as an alternative to the mass production of his day, which he believed promoted shoddy design and dehumanised labour.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the word "shoddy", ensure it aligns with the context by providing specific details of the deficiency. For example, instead of just saying "the construction was shoddy", specify what made it so, such as "the construction was shoddy, with uneven surfaces and weak joints".

Common error

Avoid using "shoddy" as a generic descriptor of overall badness. Focus on the specific flaws in workmanship, construction, or quality, rather than simply stating that something is "bad" or "unpleasant".

Linguistic Context

The word "shoddy" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they are of poor quality or construction. Ludwig AI confirms this usage in various contexts, highlighting its role in describing deficient workmanship or materials.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "shoddy" functions as an adjective, primarily used to express disapproval of poor quality or workmanship. Ludwig AI, along with numerous examples, showcases its frequent use in News & Media, Formal & Business and Science contexts, indicating its versatility across various registers. To use "shoddy" effectively, focus on specifying the exact flaws in the object being described, and avoid using it as a generic term for something unpleasant. Alternative words such as "poor quality" or "substandard", can be employed depending on the intended nuance. The word is considered grammatically correct and commonly used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poor quality

Focuses directly on the inferior standard of the item or service.

substandard

Emphasizes that something fails to meet a required or expected level.

inferior quality

Highlights that the quality is lower compared to something else.

poorly made

Specifically refers to deficiencies in the manufacturing or construction process.

badly built

Implies structural flaws or instability in construction.

slipshod

Highlights the lack of care and attention to detail in the execution.

flimsy

Suggests a lack of robustness or durability.

second-rate

Indicates that something is not of the highest standard or quality.

cheaply made

Emphasizes that low cost-cutting measures resulted in a product of low quality.

deficient

Highlights a lack of something essential or necessary.

FAQs

How can I use "shoddy" in a sentence?

Use "shoddy" to describe something that is of poor quality or badly made. For instance, "The repairs to my car were "shoddy" and didn't last long".

What words are similar to "shoddy"?

Similar words include "poor quality", "substandard", or "inferior", all describing something of low quality.

Is it better to say "poor quality" or "shoddy"?

Both "poor quality" and "shoddy" indicate something is not well-made. "Shoddy" often implies carelessness or dishonesty in the manufacturing or execution, while "poor quality" is a more general term.

Can "shoddy" be used to describe abstract concepts?

While "shoddy" typically describes physical objects or workmanship, it can metaphorically describe abstract concepts. For example, "The investigation was "shoddy" and failed to uncover the truth".