well below average

USAGE SUMMARY

"well below average" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is performing significantly worse than what is considered to be the normal or accepted standard. For example, "Tim scored well below average on the math exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

That's well below average.

The New York Times

By some measures, Cincinnati was well below average.

The New Yorker

Until two weeks ago, we were well below average.

The Washington Post

Things have improved since, but rainfall remains well below average.

The Economist

Like tornado activity, hurricane activity was also depressed well below average levels.

The Washington Post

Earlier this week, the reading stood at 109 grains per cubic meter, well below average.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

In addition, cereal production in 2018 was estimated at a well below-average level, mostly reflecting the lack of agricultural inputs.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

The decline was particularly marked between 1978 and 1981 after a period of well-below average annual rainfall.

Biological Conservation

The number of chum salmon in Marx Creek has been well-below average over the past 6 years.

Applied Water Science

There have been 15-20 year periods where returns were well-below average, which were then followed by 15-20 years of above-average returns.

Forbes

The weather conditions brought a rare wet day for Southern California, which has seen well-below average rainfall, sparking concerns about a return of drought conditions.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "well below average", ensure you provide context or a specific comparison point to make the statement more meaningful. For example, instead of saying "The test scores were well below average", specify "The test scores were well below the national average".

Common error

Be specific when stating something is "well below average". Instead of leaving it open to interpretation, quantify the difference or provide a reference point. For example, instead of just saying "The product quality is well below average", specify that it's "well below the industry average" or "well below the company's previous standards".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well below average" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that something is significantly less than the typical or expected value. Ludwig AI provides examples showing its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "well below average" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that is significantly lower than a typical standard. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts, indicating its broad applicability. When using "well below average", it's beneficial to provide context or a specific point of comparison to enhance clarity. Avoiding vague comparisons ensures your message is precise and easily understood. Alternatives such as ""significantly below par"" or ""substantially underperforming"" can also be used, depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Overall, "well below average" is a versatile and effective phrase for expressing a notable deficiency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly below par

Emphasizes the substandard quality or performance compared to an expected level.

far from satisfactory

Highlights the inadequacy of something in meeting requirements or expectations.

substantially underperforming

Focuses on the failure to achieve the anticipated or desired level of output or results.

considerably deficient

Stresses the marked lack or shortage of something essential or required.

markedly inferior

Highlights the noticeably lower quality or standard compared to others.

falling far short

Emphasizes the failure to reach a desired target or expectation by a large margin.

nowhere near average

Indicates a complete absence of resemblance to the typical or expected level.

poorly performing

Focuses on the inadequate or unsuccessful execution of a task or function.

not up to standard

Indicates failure to meet the required level of quality or performance.

badly lacking

Emphasizes the severe absence or deficiency of something needed.

FAQs

How can I use "well below average" in a sentence?

You can use "well below average" to describe something performing significantly worse than the expected standard. For instance, "His grades were "significantly below par"", or "The company's profits were "substantially underperforming" this quarter".

What are some alternatives to "well below average"?

Alternatives include "considerably deficient", "markedly inferior", or "nowhere near average", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to quantify the difference when something is "well below average"?

Yes, quantifying the difference or providing a reference point adds clarity and precision. For example, instead of "The rainfall was well below average", specify "The rainfall was 40% below the average for this time of year".

What's the difference between "below average" and "well below average"?

"Below average" indicates a performance or level that is lower than the typical standard. "Well below average" emphasizes that the performance or level is significantly or considerably lower than the typical standard, suggesting a more substantial difference.