was poorly written

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was poorly written" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a piece of writing that lacks clarity, coherence, or quality. Example: "The report was poorly written, making it difficult for the audience to understand the main points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The rumors are rampant that this book was poorly written and poorly researched.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Farr said the law was poorly written and never made clear what department would pay for the transcript.

The New York Times

He said the law was poorly written, allowing "free riders from New Jersey" to claim the benefit.

The New York Times

"There was no return address, it was poorly written, poorly addressed to the university, there were misspellings," said Vicki Woodard, a university spokeswoman.

The New York Times

With Bush arguing that Iran remained "a danger," McConnell publicly said the NIE judgment was poorly written because it emphasized a halt in the weapons program rather than Iran's continuing nuclear enrichment.

The Washington Post

Mr. Pataki's veto message also said that the bill was poorly written, failing to make it clear that when an out-of-state bidder is bypassed, a contract must go to the lowest in-state bidder.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

When they read one-star reviews that are poorly written, do not actually mention any details of the storyline, and just appear as immature rantings, they take them as such.

HuffPost

Legislators have been reduced to diddling uselessly in Sacramento while various interest groups routinely bamboozle the electorate with proliferating ballot initiatives that are poorly written, often contradictory, and nearly always bad law.

The New York Times

It's poorly written.

Cornell University

A novel or a movie that is poorly written is relatively easy to abandon.

The New York Times - Books

The message content does not follow ITS format or is poorly written.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "was poorly written" as a standalone criticism. Always contextualize it with details about the target audience and purpose of the writing.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something "was poorly written" without providing specific examples or explanations. Vague criticism is unhelpful and can be perceived as dismissive. Instead, identify specific issues such as grammatical errors, lack of clarity, or poor organization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was poorly written" functions as a descriptive predicate in a passive construction. It attributes a negative quality to a subject, indicating that the subject (e.g., a book, a report, a law) suffers from deficiencies in its writing style and construction. This aligns with Ludwig's examples showing its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

21%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was poorly written" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that a piece of writing suffers from deficiencies in clarity, coherence, or overall quality. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its acceptability and demonstrates its usage across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and wiki sources. When using this phrase, it's important to provide specific examples of the writing's shortcomings to offer constructive criticism. While "was badly written" is a similar alternative, "was poorly written" is best used when referring to specific issues in organization and clarity, while "was badly written" implies a more severe lack of quality. As Ludwig AI emphasizes, avoiding vague, stand-alone criticism enhances the phrase's effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was badly written

Emphasizes the low quality of the writing itself.

was amateurishly written

Highlights the lack of skill and professionalism in the writing.

was inadequately written

Stresses that the writing did not meet the required standards or expectations.

was deficiently written

Focuses on specific deficiencies or shortcomings in the writing.

was shoddily written

Implies carelessness or a lack of attention to detail in the writing.

was carelessly written

Highlights the lack of care and attention in the writing process.

was sloppily written

Suggests a lack of neatness and precision in the writing.

was unskillfully written

Emphasizes the lack of skill and expertise in the writing.

was inelegantly written

Focuses on the lack of grace and style in the writing.

was awkwardly written

Highlights the unnatural or clumsy nature of the writing.

FAQs

How can I use "was poorly written" in a sentence?

You can use "was poorly written" to describe a piece of content that lacks quality in its writing style. For example: "The essay "was poorly written" and failed to convey its message effectively."

What are some alternatives to "was poorly written"?

Alternatives include "was badly written", "was ineffectively written", or "was amateurishly written", each emphasizing different aspects of the writing's deficiencies.

Is it better to say "was poorly written" or "was badly written"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "was badly written" often implies a more severe lack of quality. ""was poorly written"" can also refer to specific issues in organization or clarity.

What makes something "poorly written"?

Poor writing can stem from various issues, including grammatical errors, lack of coherence, unclear messaging, and failure to engage the reader. Identifying these specific problems can help improve the writing.