subpar result

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "subpar result" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an outcome that is below the expected standard or quality. Example: "The project was deemed a failure due to the subpar result of the final product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But a double-digit loss, as seems possible based on the polls, is a decidedly subpar result for them.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mancuso, a surprise gold medalist at the 2006 Turin Games, has been nearly an afterthought after two consecutive years of subpar results.

The New York Times - Sports

At the same time, other discount retailers like Wal-Mart and Target reported subpar results for the period, a development that Mr. Day said he considered an additional triumph for Kmart.

The New York Times

New offerings try to resolve subpar results some consumers may be getting at home, either from making iced coffee out of cold and stale leftover coffee or from pouring fresh hot coffee over ice and finding the beverage too watery.

The New York Times

Cheesecake shares gained 2.1% Thursday before its subpar results pushed shares down 3.5% to $21.86 in after-hours trading.

Forbes

In the not-quite-decade since, the fund has turned in subpar results, falling 1.3 points a year behind the market.

Forbes

The journeyman started two games for them last month with subpar results and had since returned to the triple-A rotation.

Los Angeles Times

Although generally successful at alleviating coxarthrosis-related ailments, hip arthroplasty can yield subpar results in terms of pain and functional outcomes as well as degree of satisfaction in a non-negligible proportion of patients.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

They discarded "everything" multiple times during their prototyping process with the understanding that anything less than what they wanted would lead to a subpar end result.

Wikipedia

Davenport said she felt subpar today, the result of a three-set semifinal against Sandrine Testud late Thursday.

The New York Times - Sports

He added that "Kobe did his thing" and the defense was subpar and the result was a marquee game turned ho-hum afternoon.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "subpar result" when you want to concisely describe an outcome that is below the expected standard, without necessarily implying a complete failure. It suggests a deficiency or inadequacy.

Common error

Avoid using "subpar result" when you actually mean a complete failure or disaster. "Subpar" implies something is below average, not entirely unsuccessful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "subpar result" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "subpar" modifies the noun "result". As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English. It commonly describes outcomes falling short of expectations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "subpar result" is a useful way to describe an outcome that falls short of expectations. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly understood. While "subpar result" appears most frequently in News & Media, it is versatile enough for general use. Keep in mind that while the expression is acceptable in formal writing, using terms such as "unsatisfactory outcome" or "inferior result" may be preferable in some contexts. Remember that "subpar" indicates something below average, not a complete failure. By understanding its meaning and connotations, you can effectively use "subpar result" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsatisfactory outcome

Replaces 'subpar' with 'unsatisfactory', focusing on the lack of satisfaction with the outcome.

poor performance

Shifts the focus to the action or process leading to the result, emphasizing its poor quality.

inferior result

Uses 'inferior' to highlight the lower quality of the result compared to a standard.

deficient outcome

Emphasizes the lack of necessary qualities or elements in the outcome.

weak result

Describes the result as lacking strength or effectiveness.

disappointing result

Focuses on the feeling of disappointment caused by the result.

mediocre performance

Indicates that the performance or result was average or below expectations.

bad outcome

A simpler, more direct way to describe a negative result.

unacceptable result

Indicates that the result does not meet the required standards or expectations.

failed attempt

Highlights the lack of success in achieving the desired result.

FAQs

What does "subpar result" mean?

A "subpar result" refers to an outcome that is below the expected or desired standard. It suggests that the result is deficient or inadequate in some way.

What can I say instead of "subpar result"?

You can use alternatives like "unsatisfactory outcome", "poor performance", or "inferior result" depending on the context.

Is "subpar result" a formal or informal expression?

"Subpar result" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or business writing.

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

You can use "subpar result" to describe various outcomes. For example: "The company's earnings report showed a "subpar result" this quarter."