underperforming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "underperforming" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is not meeting expected standards or performance levels. Example: "The sales team has been underperforming this quarter, and we need to address the issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Meanwhile, as Australia find new ways to get themselves out of winning positions, England keep conjuring new ways to win despite chronically underperforming.

The Guardian - Sport

Our commitment to borrow for capital investment at a time when the cost of borrowing is zero and the economy is still underperforming was a huge and important dividing line between us and the Conservatives that we seemed to want to obscure.

The Guardian - Opinion

[Its brand] is underperforming relative to its assets.

The Guardian

The public also envisages the Lib Dems outperforming most polls by achieving 14%, and Ukip underperforming somewhat, with 10%.

The Guardian

Yet they are firm about the rules of the game and the standards required, and they have fired underperforming clinicians in order to send a signal across the organisation.

The Guardian

The real howlers are exposed in Bestinvest's twice-yearly Spot the Dog report (bestinvest.co.uk/dogs) into underperforming funds, which includes serial offenders such as Scottish Widows UK Growth.

The Guardian - Money

Parts of Germany have got rid of underperforming schools and reformed technical education.

The Economist

Earnings per share increased even more sharply, from $1.18 to $1.42, because of the firm's big share buy-back programme.Apple's results shine even more brightly because its rivals are currently underperforming.

The Economist

What we can suggest, however, is that the "spreading the wealth" meme pushed by John McCain in the waning weeks of the campaign did not prevent him from seriously underperforming George Bush among the well off.

The Economist

In 1994, the country's first democratically-elected government inherited a distorted, underperforming economy, based on a system that had deprived the majority of the population of education and economic opportunities.

The Economist

Separately, it has been dumping a load of underperforming businesses, such as transaction services and asset management.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the performance of a team or individual, use "underperforming" to clearly indicate that they are not meeting expectations. This term avoids ambiguity and directly addresses the issue.

Common error

Avoid using "underperforming" as a blanket statement without providing context or specific metrics. Instead, specify what the subject is underperforming in relation to, such as "underperforming compared to industry standards" or "underperforming against projected goals".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "underperforming" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that is not performing as well as expected or required. As Ludwig AI confirms, it follows standard grammar rules and is widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

28%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "underperforming" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something not meeting expectations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, its purpose is to identify deficiencies and categorize subjects failing to meet specified benchmarks. When using "underperforming", ensure you provide clear context for the comparison and consider alternatives like "subpar" or "below average" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Poorly performing

This is a more descriptive way to state that the performance is not good, emphasizing the act of performing.

Below average

Indicates a performance level that is lower than the typical or expected standard.

Subpar

Describes performance that is below an acceptable standard, implying a deficiency in quality or execution.

Unsatisfactory

Expresses a failure to meet expectations or requirements, resulting in disappointment or disapproval.

Underachieving

Highlights the failure to reach one's potential or to meet achievable goals.

Deficient

Indicates a lack of something essential or necessary for adequate performance.

Inadequate

Suggests that something is insufficient or not good enough for a particular purpose.

Inefficient

Refers to a lack of effectiveness in achieving results, often due to wasted resources or effort.

Weak

Describes a lack of strength, power, or effectiveness in performance.

Failing

Suggests a complete lack of success or a decline in performance to an unacceptable level.

FAQs

How can I use "underperforming" in a sentence?

You can use "underperforming" to describe entities not meeting expected standards. For example, "The team's sales figures were "underperforming" this quarter", or "The "underperforming" assets were sold off".

What are some alternatives to "underperforming"?

Alternatives include "subpar", "deficient", or "below average", depending on the context. Each carries a slightly different connotation regarding the degree and cause of the performance issue.

Is it better to say "poor performance" or "underperforming"?

"Poor performance" is a general term, while "underperforming" implies a comparison against a specific expectation or benchmark. Use "underperforming" when you want to emphasize that something is not meeting a defined standard or goal.

What does it mean when a company is described as "underperforming"?

It means the company is not achieving its expected financial targets, operational goals, or other key performance indicators. This could involve lower profits, slower growth, or other measures that indicate the company is not functioning optimally.