underperform compared to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "underperform compared to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing performance levels in relation to a benchmark or another entity. Example: "The sales figures for this quarter indicate that our team has underperformed compared to last year's results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

This means that if Democratic candidates are polling under 15% statewide on caucus night, they could significantly underperform compared to their polling.

The Guardian

In the paper "Computer-based testing: An alternative for the assessment of Turkish undergraduate students", Akdemir and Oguz (2008) discuss an experiment to compare student performance in paper-and-pencil tests with computer-based tests, and conclude that students taking computer-based tests do not underperform compared to students taking pen-and-pencil tests.

Computers & Education

When it comes to software security, government organizations continue to underperform compared to other industries.

Forbes

The ϵ-greedy strategy and its variants could underperform compared to IntEstim if the value of ϵ is not properly set.

EPJ Data Science

The "Black Beatles" bump nudged it up from No. 53 to No. 47 there this week, but the chances for the album to underperform compared to its predecessor remain very likely.

Forbes

Native Hawaiians fare better, but still underperform compared to their peers -- as best we can tell from the limited data, anyway.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"However, like the north-west, it underperformed compared to the national average," it said.

The Guardian - Business

The bank has underperformed compared to its rivals, and more than 20 top executives have left in the last three months.

The Guardian

In terms of real-world battery life, the Guardian's own review of the new iPhones found that they underperformed compared to similar devices.

The Guardian - Tech

It matched the UK's growth at 0.5% in the last three months of 2011 (pdf), but has underperformed compared to the UK for three of the last five quarters reported.

The Guardian

The Bridgend Ford workers are stung by the idea, contained in a leaked memo, that they are underperforming compared to other sites, including Dagenham in Essex.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Maintain consistency in comparative language within your document. If you start with "underperform compared to", avoid switching to drastically different phrases without a clear purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "underperform compared to" without explicitly stating what the comparison is based on. For example, instead of saying "The product underperformed", specify "The product underperformed compared to projected sales figures."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "underperform compared to" functions as a comparative verb phrase. It indicates that a subject's performance is less successful than a specific standard or another entity. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is acceptable and widely used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "underperform compared to" is a grammatically correct and acceptable way to express that something is not performing as well as something else. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for comparing results, actions, or entities in professional, news, and scientific contexts. While not as common as simpler alternatives like "perform worse than", "underperform compared to" offers a clear way to indicate a comparative deficiency in performance. When using this phrase, ensure you explicitly define the basis for comparison to maintain clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perform worse than

Directly states poorer performance, simplifying the comparison.

do worse than

Similar to "perform worse than", but with slightly different wording.

not be as good as

A simple and straightforward way to express inferiority.

fall short of expectations

Focuses on not meeting anticipated results rather than direct comparison.

show poorer results than

Focuses on the outcome or results of the performance.

be inferior to

States a lower quality or status in comparison.

fail to measure up to

Emphasizes a failure in reaching a certain standard.

lag behind

Indicates a slower pace or progress in comparison.

pale in comparison to

Highlights the insignificance of one thing when compared to another.

not hold a candle to

An idiomatic expression indicating significant inferiority.

FAQs

What does "underperform compared to" mean?

The phrase "underperform compared to" means to not perform as well as something else, such as expectations, another entity, or a previous result. It indicates a lower level of achievement in relation to a benchmark.

How can I use "underperform compared to" in a sentence?

You can use "underperform compared to" to compare the results or actions between two entities like: "This year's sales figures "underperform compared to" last year's."

What are some alternatives to "underperform compared to"?

Some alternatives to "underperform compared to" include "perform worse than", "fall short of expectations", or "fail to measure up to", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "underperform compared to" or "perform worse than"?

Both "underperform compared to" and "perform worse than" are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. The choice depends on the desired tone and level of formality. "Perform worse than" is slightly more direct.