subpar performance

USAGE SUMMARY

"subpar performance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an inadequate or unsatisfactory performance. For example, "The actor gave a subpar performance in his latest film."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Mr. Hagel's hearing, his perceived subpar performance notwithstanding, still set some members on edge.

The New York Times

But SAC fired him in 2010 after two years of subpar performance.

The New York Times

One of Petershill's investments, Trafalgar Asset Managers, was felled by investor redemptions, following subpar performance.

The New York Times

A few games later came a subpar performance in allowing three goals against Chicago.

The New York Times - Sports

Dealing with the crisis will require dealing with the second failure of government: subpar performance.

The New York Times

After my subpar performance in Seville, there is still a little doubt.

The New York Times - Sports

Valentine does not believe the subpar performance is from lack of work.

The New York Times - Sports

Testaverde was suffering through another subpar performance, and he finished 22 of 42 for 181 yards.

The New York Times - Sports

After three extraordinary games, Lin turned in a subpar performance last Saturday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Guardian - Sport

That subpar performance can be traced to two of the three pillars of the American economy — consumers and the government.

The New York Times

So, apart from being a ridiculous sum to pay for subpar performance and chicanery, what is $35.2 billion?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing performance issues, be specific about which aspects were "subpar" and provide supporting evidence or examples to strengthen your analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "subpar performance" as a vague catch-all term. Always clarify which specific areas of performance were deficient to provide actionable feedback.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "subpar performance" functions as a noun phrase, where "subpar" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "performance". Ludwig examples confirm its use to describe inadequate or unsatisfactory results.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "subpar performance" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes an outcome falling below expectations. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It's commonly employed in News & Media and Formal contexts to critique or evaluate results. For alternative phrasing, consider "poor showing" or "inadequate execution". When using this phrase, ensure specificity and avoid overgeneralization to maintain clarity. This phrase serves the purpose of expressing dissatisfaction and pinpointing deficiencies. While generally neutral, its evaluative nature lends itself to professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poor showing

Focuses on the visible result or outcome of the performance.

inadequate execution

Emphasizes the failure to properly carry out a task or activity.

deficient performance

Highlights a lack or insufficiency in the quality of the performance.

unsatisfactory result

Focuses on the outcome not meeting expectations or requirements.

weak effort

Points to a lack of strength or intensity in the attempt.

inferior quality

Indicates that the performance was of a lower standard compared to others.

underperformance

A more formal term directly indicating failure to meet expected levels.

failure to deliver

Emphasizes not meeting the promised or expected outcome.

falling short of expectations

Describes a failure to achieve what was anticipated or hoped for.

under expectation

Briefly emphasizes a lower than average anticipation about the outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "subpar performance" in a sentence?

You can use "subpar performance" to describe inadequate or unsatisfactory results. For example, "The team's "subpar performance" led to their elimination from the tournament."

What's a formal alternative to "subpar performance"?

A more formal alternative is "underperformance", which is often used in business or academic contexts.

Is "sub-par performance" grammatically correct?

While "sub-par" with a hyphen is sometimes used, "subpar" is more common and accepted in modern usage. Therefore, ""subpar performance"" is generally preferred.

How does "subpar performance" differ from "poor performance"?

"Subpar performance" implies that the performance was below an expected standard, while "poor performance" is a more general term for low-quality performance. The nuance lies in the explicit comparison to a standard with "subpar".