such a poor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "such a poor" is correct and it can be used in written English.
For example, "The economic conditions of many people in the world are so bad that they are living such a poor life".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's such a poor Catholic.

The New York Times

"Actually, it's not such a poor relation.

Independent

I just think there's such a poor standard in rock'n'roll.

The Guardian - Music

They're such a poor country, they deserve it.

The Guardian - Sport

Why is Chivas such a poor second half team?

The Guardian - Sport

It doesn't help that the short story's defenders make such a poor case for it.

The New York Times - Books

There are no vouchers that could achieve a coherent defence of such a poor decision.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although there are issues to be addressed, adoption is not in such a poor state.

The Guardian - Opinion

I made clear I had no intention of leaving after such a poor year.

The Guardian - Sport

So it's hard to understand how the Israelis did such a poor job of targeting".

The New York Times

So the question is, why has Mr. Deeds done such a poor job of motivating Democrats?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing situations, use "such a poor" to emphasize a negative quality or condition, making sure the context clearly indicates what is lacking or deficient. For example, "The team's performance was such a poor display of skill that the coach made significant changes."

Common error

Avoid using "such a poor" when the intended meaning is positive or complimentary; this phrase inherently conveys a negative attribute. For instance, do not say "He showed such a poor attitude of gratitude" if you mean he was very grateful; instead, use "He showed such a strong attitude of gratitude."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "such a poor" functions as an intensifier combined with an adjective to describe a noun, emphasizing its deficiency or inadequacy. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "such a poor" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize deficiency or inadequacy. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. It functions as an intensifier combined with an adjective, serving the purpose of expressing negative evaluation or criticism. While the phrase is versatile across various contexts, it is most prevalent in News & Media and Sport, maintaining a neutral register. When employing this expression, ensure the context accurately reflects the intended negative sentiment to avoid miscommunication. Alternatives like "so inadequate" or "terribly inadequate" may be considered for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so inadequate

Replaces "such a poor" with an intensifier and a synonym expressing deficiency.

so deficient

Direct synonym replacement using 'deficient' to indicate a lack.

very deficient

Substitutes "such a poor" with an intensifier and a word that highlights a lack of something essential.

highly inadequate

Uses a more formal intensifier than 'so' while retaining the basic meaning.

terribly inadequate

Emphasizes the inadequacy with a stronger adverb.

extremely substandard

Highlights the failure to meet an acceptable standard.

remarkably deficient

Replaces "such a poor" highlighting that the lack is very visible.

woefully insufficient

Indicates that something is dramatically insufficient, often evoking pity or regret.

surprisingly lacking

Highlights an unexpected absence or shortage.

quite subpar

Indicates that something is below the expected or average level.

FAQs

How can I use "such a poor" in a sentence?

Use "such a poor" to emphasize a negative quality or condition. For example: "The quality of the product was "so inadequate" that customers demanded refunds."

What are some alternatives to "such a poor"?

Alternatives include "terribly inadequate", "extremely substandard", or "woefully insufficient", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it inappropriate to use "such a poor"?

It is inappropriate to use "such a poor" in positive or complimentary contexts. Ensure the context aligns with its negative connotation to avoid miscommunication.

Which is correct, "such a poor" or "so poor"?

Both "such a poor" and "so poor" are grammatically correct, but they are used in different sentence structures. "Such a poor" is typically followed by a noun (e.g., "such a poor performance"), while "so poor" is often used before an adjective or adverb (e.g., "so poor in quality").