underperforms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "underperforms" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something does not meet expected performance levels or standards. Example: "The new marketing strategy underperforms compared to our previous campaigns, leading to lower sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

If a highly active manager beats the index, it will stay in business; if it underperforms, it will fold.

The Economist

After three decades of trying to diversify from its base in Asia, HSBC still makes the bulk of its money there; the other two-thirds of its business underperforms badly for the most part.

The Economist

If your preferred policy obviously underperforms the status quo in most decades***, I'm not sure it's a very good policy.Now Mr Klein might argue that tighter monetary policy need not lead to reduced growth and employment given a more expansionary fiscal policy.

The Economist

The result is that, not only do mutual fund investors underperform the market, the average mutual fund investor underperforms the return of the average mutual fund.

The Economist

As a result, he argues, the foundation sector "seriously underperforms its potential" both in the social benefit it generates and the "mission that its freedom from substantial government and social control is designed to fulfil".He has plenty of ideas for raising the game of existing foundations, and helping new ones avoid repeating past errors.

The Economist

Studies have shown that the average American DC scheme underperforms a DB scheme by around a percentage point a year.

The Economist

But is that still plausible?I wish Mr Krugman had elaborated on precisely how he thinks America underperforms at trade.

The Economist

Maternity units in London experience stillbirth rates that are almost 50% higher than many other UK region and 15% higher than the average for the country.To add to these statistics, a recent survey by the Healthcare Commission into maternity services in the UK shows that London in particular underperforms the rest of the country.A solution to this crisis is possible, but requires political will.

The Economist

There are hopeful signs: net profits rose by 58% in 2006, to €2.3 billion, though most of the increase came from the sale of operations in South Korea.But investors grumble that the company's share price underperforms those of its European rivals by a large margin.

The Economist

Taxpayers end up footing the bill for dud loans and the economy underperforms as the flow of finance is misdirected.But these are not normal times.

The Economist

Japan substantially underperforms other rich economies from that point on.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "underperforms", clearly specify what the subject is underperforming relative to (e.g., "underperforms the market", "underperforms its potential"). This provides crucial context and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "underperforms" without a clear point of comparison. Saying "the company underperforms" is vague; instead, clarify "the company underperforms compared to its competitors" or "underperforms its projected revenue".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "underperforms" is as a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense. It indicates an action of performing below an expected level. Ludwig provides many examples that confirms this function, like "the company's share price underperforms those of its European rivals".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "underperforms" is a verb used to describe a situation where something does not meet expected performance levels or standards. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. When using "underperforms", it's important to specify the benchmark or standard for comparison to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "fails to meet expectations" and "falls short". Common errors involve using the term without a clear point of comparison. By understanding its nuances, you can effectively use "underperforms" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fails to meet expectations

This alternative focuses on the failure to achieve the desired or predicted outcome.

performs below par

This alternative uses a golfing metaphor to indicate performance that is less than satisfactory.

does not measure up

This alternative suggests a comparison against a standard or benchmark, with the subject falling short.

falls short

This alternative is a more general way of saying that something has not reached the required level.

lags behind

This alternative indicates that something is moving slower or progressing less effectively than others.

performs poorly

This alternative is a straightforward and direct way to describe inadequate performance.

delivers substandard results

This alternative emphasizes the unsatisfactory quality of the outcomes produced.

is deficient

This alternative highlights a lack or inadequacy in performance or quality.

flops

This alternative describes a complete and utter failure in performance or execution.

misses the mark

This alternative indicates a failure to achieve a target or goal.

FAQs

How can I use "underperforms" in a sentence?

You can use "underperforms" to indicate that something is not performing as well as expected or compared to something else. For example, "The stock "underperforms" the market average", or "The department "underperforms" in terms of productivity".

What are some alternatives to saying "underperforms"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "fails to meet expectations", "falls short", or "performs poorly" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say something "underperforms"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "underperforms". It is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb "underperform". Ludwig confirms that this is correct and usable in written English.

What does it mean when something "underperforms"?

When something "underperforms", it means that it is not performing as well as expected, compared to a benchmark, or relative to its potential. This could apply to investments, employees, or any other measurable entity.