sluggish response

USAGE SUMMARY

'sluggish response' is both accurate and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action taken (or not taken) in response to something that happened that was either too slow or not as quick as expected. For example, "The company was frustrated by the sluggish response to their new product release."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Denmark's sluggish response was a textbook case of muddled policy.

The Economist

There was anger in Norway too over the government's sluggish response.

The Guardian

We have had enough wake-up calls, and our sluggish response is beginning to look like ambivalence.

The Guardian

His critics nicknamed him "Baba Go-Slow" --- a reference to his age and sluggish response to crises.

The Washington Post

When introducing such bills, members of Congress often cite the Federal Emergency Management Agency's sluggish response to Hurricane Katrina.

The Washington Post

Slow storage solutions for Exchange 2007 will lead to message queuing, sluggish response time, and delays in performing certain actions.

Designing Storage for Exchange 2007 SP1

For anyone thinking that the economy would surge back to full throttle, the sluggish response to the stimulus is disappointing.

The Economist

Users never embraced its bland interface, sluggish response time and businesslike menus that required lots of clicking to perform tasks.

The New York Times - Tech

The integral term (B) would correct any steady-state error that would occur due to any sluggish response by the motor.

Cornell University

That sluggish response was precisely what the supplement industry and its more zealous customers wanted when they pressed Congress for protection against strict regulation.

The New York Times

Fanned by high winds and a sluggish response, the flames spread quickly through the city until night turned into day and the streets ran bright with molten lead.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a delayed action, use "sluggish response" to convey both the slowness and the impact of the delay. For example, "The company's "sluggish response" to the crisis damaged its reputation."

Common error

Don't use "sluggish response" when the situation calls for a proactive, rather than reactive, approach. The term specifically describes the quality of a reaction. For example, "The company's lack of innovation" is more appropriate than "The company's "sluggish response" to innovation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sluggish response" functions as a noun phrase, where "sluggish" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "response". It often describes the quality or characteristic of a reaction to something. Ludwig AI shows the phrase being used to describe governmental and organizational reactions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sluggish response" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression for describing a delayed or ineffective reaction. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use across diverse sources, particularly in news and media. It serves to critique or evaluate the timeliness of a response, often implying disapproval. While appropriate for formal and informal contexts, it is particularly prevalent in neutral registers like news reporting. Alternatives include "slow reaction", "delayed reaction", and "tardy response". Remember to use "sluggish response" when conveying both the slowness and the resulting impact of the delay.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slow reaction

Focuses on the speed of reaction, similar to a delayed response.

delayed reaction

Highlights the delay in the reaction, emphasizing lateness.

tardy reaction

Indicates lateness and a lack of promptness in the reaction.

slowed response

Emphasizes the reduction in the speed of the response.

lackluster response

Implies a response that is uninspired or weak, rather than specifically slow.

weak reaction

Focuses on the strength of the reaction, implying it was ineffective.

ineffective response

Highlights the inefficacy of the response, indicating it did not achieve the desired outcome.

feeble reaction

Suggests the reaction was weak and inadequate.

half-hearted reaction

Indicates a lack of enthusiasm or commitment in the reaction.

apathetic response

Emphasizes a lack of interest or concern in the reaction.

FAQs

How can I use "sluggish response" in a sentence?

You can use "sluggish response" to describe a delayed or slow reaction to a situation. For example, "The government's "sluggish response" to the natural disaster drew criticism."

What are some alternatives to "sluggish response"?

Alternatives include "slow reaction", "delayed reaction", or "tardy response", depending on the context.

Is "sluggish response" a formal or informal term?

"Sluggish response" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it appears more frequently in news and media reporting than in highly technical academic writing.

What causes a "sluggish response"?

A "sluggish response" can result from various factors, including bureaucracy, lack of resources, poor planning, or simply a lack of awareness or urgency.