subpar

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "subpar" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to mean "less than desirable or below average". For example, "This restaurant's food was subpar and failed to meet our expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Big brands, including Burger King, Dunkin Donuts, KFC, Kraft Foods and MillerCoors, are wasting billions of dollars worth of valuable materials because they sell food and drinks in subpar packaging, according to a comprehensive new report on packaging and recycling by the fast food, beverage, consumer goods and grocery industries.

The Guardian

Keon Daniel was on international duty for the RSL match, but if there's one thing he can do despite a subpar season, it's hold the ball and kill a game.

The Guardian - Sport

If Janet Yellen, who becomes chairman on February 1st, is greeted with more evidence of subpar growth, she will more inclined to strengthen the commitment to zero rates for a long time.

The Economist

Were Kraft to enjoy the same margin uplift that Heinz has, this would rise to 6%—still subpar.

The Economist

If a company suffers subpar profits, doing a good turn for an analyst cuts the likelihood of a downgrade by half.

The Economist

The authors warn of "an extended period of anemic, subpar growth", which seems to allude to decades of bleakness, only to follow up by noting that "one cannot even rule out the risk of a double-dip recession in the U.S. and other advanced economies".

The Economist

Pimco's Mr El-Erian reckons that the transition from consumption to export-oriented expansion will lead to prolonged subpar growth and high unemployment.That will heighten political risks such as protectionism.

The Economist

Common sense would suggest some information a car's age and mileage is essential, but that total transparency about other things (precise details on subpar paintwork) might deter buyers, lowering the auctioneer's commissions.

The Economist

Sadly, with such stability at a subpar pace of growth, low interest rates and low volatility have a bigger impact on asset prices than on real investment, and risk creating financial bubbles long before economies reach full employment.Invest and reformOne way to address this risk is for central bankers to use regulatory tools to counter the build-up of asset-price excesses.

The Economist

All the attention paid to a single tri-lateral trade agreement should remind us that trade agreements are a pretty subpar way to liberalise trade in the first place.

The Economist

Private-equity funds also buy whole firms, replacing managers and setting strategy.Activists provide a way for lazy money to outsource the messy task of fixing subpar firms.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "subpar" when you want to clearly communicate that something is below the expected or required standard. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "subpar" when a more specific term would be more accurate. For example, instead of saying "the paint job was subpar", specify whether it was "uneven", "faded", or "chipped".

Linguistic Context

The word "subpar" functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they are below a standard or expectation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a commonly used word in the English language.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "subpar" is a frequently used adjective that means something is below the expected standard. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and commonly used. It is appropriate for various contexts, especially in news and media and formal business settings. While suitable for general use, consider more precise terms in formal or technical writing to enhance clarity. Related alternatives include "below average" and "not up to par". Remember to use "subpar" as one word.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not up to par

An idiomatic expression directly equivalent to "subpar", meaning not meeting the required standard.

below average

Indicates a performance or quality that is less than the typical or expected standard.

unsatisfactory

Indicates that something fails to meet expectations or requirements.

inferior quality

Focuses on the deficient quality of something, indicating it is not as good as other items of the same type.

inadequate

Similar to deficient, emphasizing that something is not sufficient or good enough.

deficient

Highlights a lack or inadequacy in some essential quality or aspect.

lacking

Emphasizes the absence of something necessary or desirable.

second-rate

Implies that something is not of the highest quality or standard, suggesting it is mediocre.

poor

A general term indicating low quality or standard.

mediocre

Suggests an average or unremarkable quality, neither particularly good nor particularly bad.

FAQs

How to use "subpar" in a sentence?

You can use "subpar" to describe something that is below the expected standard. For example, "The restaurant's service was subpar" or "The team's performance was subpar this season."

What can I say instead of "subpar"?

You can use alternatives like "below average", "inferior quality", or "not up to par" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "subpar" or "sub par"?

"Subpar" is the correct spelling. "Sub par" is less common and may be considered incorrect in formal writing.

Is "subpar" a formal or informal word?

"Subpar" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal or technical writing, you might opt for a more precise term, such as "deficient" or "inadequate".