shoddy work

USAGE SUMMARY

"shoddy work" is a valid phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe work that is of poor quality or not up to standard. For example: "The contractor was fired after his shoddy work was noticed by the homeowner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But tied aid leads to shoddy work.

The Economist

That's not to excuse shoddy work.

Harvard Business Review

If she turns in shoddy work, she can't move on.

The New York Times

Chinese goods are held up as examples of shoddy work.

The Economist

Paying less doesn't mean you'll get shoddy work.

The Washington Post

He also claims that the contractor's shoddy work is indicated by discoloration in the unflooded bathrooms.

Harvard University

He has publicly criticised shoddy work on the dam, and cracked down on corruption.

The Economist

What INR has, above all, is a culture that rejects easy answers and shoddy work.

The Washington Post

Issues such as shoddy work and technical errors may make that target unrealistic.

The Guardian

There can be no excuse for such shoddy work, which I deeply regret.

The Guardian

"We still don't know how many millions were wasted on contractor overcharges and shoddy work.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shoddy work" when you want to emphasize the lack of quality and attention to detail in a task or project. It often implies a sense of disappointment or frustration.

Common error

Avoid simply labeling something as "shoddy work" without explaining why. Without context, your criticism lacks substance and won't help improve the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shoddy work" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the subject complement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes work of poor quality. It is used to express disapproval or criticism of the substandard nature of a task or project, as evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shoddy work" is a commonly used phrase to describe work of poor quality, as supported by Ludwig AI's analysis. It functions as a noun phrase and serves the purpose of criticizing or expressing dissatisfaction. While generally neutral in tone, it is less formal and more prevalent in contexts such as News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business communications. To ensure effective communication, provide specific examples when using this phrase, and consider alternatives like "poor craftsmanship" or "substandard performance" to tailor your message to the specific context. The most frequent and authoritative sources that use this term include The New York Times, The Economist, and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poor craftsmanship

Focuses on the quality of skill and execution in creating something.

substandard performance

Emphasizes that the work does not meet the required or expected level of quality.

inferior workmanship

Highlights that the quality of the work is below average or acceptable standards.

deficient output

Indicates that the result of the work lacks essential qualities or is incomplete.

botched job

Suggests that the work was done very poorly and resulted in a failure.

flawed execution

Focuses on mistakes and imperfections that occurred during the completion of the work.

slipshod effort

Describes work that is done carelessly and without attention to detail.

careless work

Implies that the work was done without sufficient attention or diligence.

bungled attempt

Suggests that the work was poorly managed or handled, leading to a bad outcome.

lousy performance

Indicates a very poor or inadequate level of accomplishment.

FAQs

How can I describe the level of quality in something if not using "shoddy work"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases such as "poor craftsmanship", "substandard performance", or "inferior workmanship" to describe quality.

What are the implications of delivering "shoddy work"?

Delivering "shoddy work" can lead to dissatisfied customers, damage to reputation, financial losses, and potential legal issues. It's important to prioritize quality to avoid these negative consequences.

Is "shoddy work" a formal or informal term?

"Shoddy work" is considered a neutral term that can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, you might opt for more technical or precise language.

What's the difference between "shoddy work" and "negligence"?

"Shoddy work" refers to poor quality or substandard performance, while "negligence" implies a failure to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm or damage. Negligence can lead to "shoddy work", but not always.