think poorly of

USAGE SUMMARY

"think poorly of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to have a negative or low opinion of someone or something. Example: Despite her many accomplishments, some people still think poorly of her because of her social background.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Did he think poorly of my scholarship?

The Guardian

I don't think poorly of the blacks that live in the projects.

The New York Times - Books

I think poorly of man, of economics, of society, of America".

The New York Times - Books

Not that Shaw would ever think poorly of verbal facility, especially his own.

The New York Times

It's not as though most Americans don't already think poorly of Republicans anyway.

The New York Times

Neither Amos nor Ariel had any reason to think poorly of HM – quite the opposite, in fact.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The narrator's physicist father thinks poorly of metaphors.

The New Yorker

But about one in four in the United States and Britain thought poorly of Muslims.

The New York Times

Not surprisingly, Feigen thinks poorly of many of his colleagues, and is happy to give their names and addresses.

The New York Times - Books

Strict Christians also thought poorly of the teaching profession because it involved instructing the young in literature replete with pagan ideals and what was viewed as indecency.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Among Turks, 34% thought poorly of Armenians (17%, bizarrely, believed the Armenians were Jews).Turkey's Armenian minority dwindled to 80,000.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "think poorly of", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is being viewed negatively to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify 'Many analysts think poorly of the company's management' rather than just 'Many think poorly of it'.

Common error

Avoid using "think poorly of" when a stronger term is more appropriate. Phrases like "despise" or "loathe" might better suit situations involving intense dislike or hatred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "think poorly of" functions as a verb phrase expressing a negative assessment or judgment about someone or something. Ludwig's examples show its usage in various contexts to indicate disapproval or a low opinion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "think poorly of" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a negative opinion or low regard, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions primarily to convey disapproval or a low assessment. While suitable for neutral contexts like news and general writing, it's important to use it appropriately, considering the intensity of the sentiment and the potential for stronger alternatives when necessary. Best practice involves clearly specifying the subject of the negative opinion to avoid ambiguity. Frequent authoritative sources include The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a low opinion of

Focuses on having a low opinion rather than the act of thinking negatively.

look down on

Implies a sense of superiority and disdain.

disapprove of

Highlights disagreement or moral objection.

take a dim view of

Uses a more figurative expression to convey disapproval.

be down on

More informal, suggesting criticism or negativity.

criticize

Directly states the act of finding fault.

deplore

Expresses strong disapproval or regret.

disparage

Belittles or undervalues something or someone.

belittle

Makes someone or something seem unimportant.

scorn

Expresses contempt or disdain.

FAQs

How can I use "think poorly of" in a sentence?

You can use "think poorly of" to express a negative opinion about someone or something. For example, "The critics "think poorly of" the new movie because of its weak plot."

What's a more formal way to say "think poorly of"?

A more formal alternative to "think poorly of" is "have a low opinion of". For instance, "The board "has a low opinion of" the proposed changes."

Which is correct: "think poorly of" or "think bad of"?

"Think poorly of" is the more grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase. "Think bad of" is less common and might sound awkward to some native English speakers.

What's the difference between "look down on" and "think poorly of"?

While both phrases express a negative opinion, "look down on" suggests a sense of superiority, while "think poorly of" simply indicates a low or negative assessment.