underperforming the average

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "underperforming the average" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing performance metrics, particularly in contexts like business, education, or sports, where comparisons to an average or benchmark are relevant. Example: "The team's sales figures are underperforming the average for the industry, indicating a need for strategic changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Putting money into a stock index fund -- a one-decision move -- has proved not only the best way to avoid underperforming the averages, but also the path to outsized profits.

The New York Times

All the airlines in the index have underperformed the average this year.

The New York Times

During Mr. Collins tenure the shares have underperformed the average stock in the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index.

The New York Times - Tech

The home retail segment, for example, underperforms the average investment in R&D for all industries by a factor of seven.

Harvard Business Review

The bottom line is that after costs, the average actively managed Euro (or dollar, or yen) must underperform the average passively managed Euro (or dollar, or yen) in a market.

Stanford University

First, as I pointed out in this blog, benchmarking against sector indexes over a more recent five-year period yields the opposite result: companies with award-winning programs underperformed the average.

Harvard Business Review

Over the past five years, under the Treasurer's watch, TSERS has underperformed the average public plan by $6.8 billion.

Forbes

Stanford emeritus professor and Noble Laureate William F. Sharpe wrote in 1991: "Properly measured, the average actively managed dollar must underperform the average passively managed dollar, net of costs.

Forbes

In the Global Leadership Forecast 2018, we found that organizations that operated without a purpose-driven culture, or even a purpose statement, financially underperformed the average by 42%.

Forbes

The top 50 stocks in the S&P 500 index, as measured by market capitalization, underperformed the average stock in the index in 63 consecutive rolling 12-month periods until the 12 months ending July.

Forbes

Stocks at the low end of the spectrum (with Short Term PowerRatings of 3, 2 or 1) have dramatically underperformed the average stock over the following five days, while those with higher ratings have outperformed.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "underperforming the average", clearly define what "average" refers to. This provides context and avoids ambiguity. For example, specify "underperforming the industry average" or "underperforming the team's average sales figures".

Common error

Ensure that the "average" you're referencing is appropriate for comparison. Comparing a high-risk investment's performance to the average return of low-risk investments is misleading. Always match the reference group's risk profile and characteristics to ensure a fair comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "underperforming the average" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe something that is not achieving the expected or typical level of performance. This assessment aligns with Ludwig AI's judgment of grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "underperforming the average" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that is not performing as well as the average, according to Ludwig AI. It is best used in neutral to professional contexts, particularly in reporting and assessing performance within business, news, and academic settings. When using this phrase, ensure the average is well-defined and that the comparison is relevant. Although the phrase itself is valid, remember to use it precisely to avoid misinterpretations and ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

below average performance

This alternative replaces the verb "underperforming" with the adjective "below", simplifying the phrase.

not meeting the average

This alternative focuses on not achieving the average level, rather than falling short.

falling short of the average

This alternative uses the idiom "falling short", emphasizing a failure to reach the average.

lagging behind the average

This alternative suggests a slower pace compared to the average.

performing worse than average

This alternative uses a more descriptive wording, highlighting a poorer performance.

subpar performance compared to the average

This alternative is more formal, using "subpar" to indicate below-average quality.

poorer than average results

This alternative focuses on the results being inferior to the average.

failing to reach the average benchmark

This alternative emphasizes the failure to achieve a specific benchmark.

not measuring up to the average

This alternative uses the idiom "not measuring up", indicating a lack of expected quality or quantity.

weaker performance relative to the average

This alternative emphasizes the weakness of the performance compared to the average.

FAQs

How can I use "underperforming the average" in a sentence?

You can use "underperforming the average" to describe something that is not performing as well as the average. For example: "The company's sales figures are "underperforming the average" for this quarter".

What are some alternatives to "underperforming the average"?

Some alternatives include "below average performance", "not meeting the average", or "falling short of the average".

Is it better to say "underperforming the average" or "below average"?

Both phrases are grammatically sound but "underperforming the average" specifically refers to a dynamic process or activity that is not meeting the average, whereas "below average" is a more static descriptor. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What does it mean when an investment is "underperforming the average"?

When an investment is "underperforming the average", it means that its returns are lower than the average returns of similar investments or a relevant market index. This could be due to various factors, such as poor management, market conditions, or higher risk.