worst performing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "worst performing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is performing the least well in a given context, such as in business, sports, or academic performance. Example: "The worst performing product in our line has been discontinued due to low sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

The best and worst performing computer algorithms had good performance (κ = 0.49 and κ = 0.42, respectively).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

" "We were one of the worst performing departments, but we want to be top performers again".

BMC Health Services Research

It is the worst performing train operator of the lot.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Footwear was the worst performing category in April..

The Guardian - Business

And what were the worst performing sectors in 2010?

The Guardian - Money

It was the third worst performing stock in the S&P 500.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Four years ago it was the fourth-worst performing school in the country.

Independent

"But the worst-performing is also always a small fund".

The New York Times

It was the worst-performing stockmarket in Asia.

The Economist

Venezuela has, by some measures, the world's worst-performing economy.

The New Yorker

However, doing nothing was also the "worst-performing alternative" around 30percentt of the time.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "worst performing", ensure you provide context. Specify what is being evaluated and the criteria for performance. For example, "the worst performing stock in the portfolio" offers a clearer understanding than simply saying "the worst performing".

Common error

Be careful not to use "worst performing" without specifying a comparison group. Saying something is "worst performing" implies there are others being compared. Without context, the statement lacks meaning and can be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "worst performing" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it has the least desirable performance compared to others. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase is widely used to label the entity with the poorest results within a specific group.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

18%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "worst performing" is a grammatically sound adjective phrase used to describe something with the poorest performance in a group. Ludwig AI validates its wide applicability across contexts like science, news, and business. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to provide clear context to avoid ambiguity. As per Ludwig's analysis, ensuring clarity of comparison helps avoid vagueness in your writing. The abundance of examples and the positive assessment provided by Ludwig underscore its established and reliable use in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poorest performing

Replaces "worst" with "poorest", emphasizing a lack of resources or quality in the performance.

lowest performing

Focuses on the rank or position of the performance in a set of data.

underperforming

Highlights a failure to meet expected levels of performance.

weakest performing

Emphasizes the lack of strength or effectiveness in the performance.

least successful

Shifts the focus to overall success rather than just performance.

worst record

Implies historical data and past performance issues, usually referred to events.

bottom of the list

Expresses a position on a set or rank.

lagging behind

Suggests a failure to keep pace with others.

deficient in performance

Highlights the lack of strength or effectiveness in the performance.

failing to deliver

Emphasizes the act of not achieving goals or expectations.

FAQs

How can I use "worst performing" in a sentence?

You can use "worst performing" to describe entities that are not achieving the same results as similar entities. For example, "This year, the agricultural sector has been the "worst performing" sector of the national economy".

What are some alternatives to "worst performing"?

Alternatives to "worst performing" include "poorest performing", "underperforming", or "least successful". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "worst performing"?

"Worst performing" is appropriate when you are comparing a group of items and need to identify the one with the least favorable results. It's suitable for formal reports, analyses, and discussions where objective assessment is crucial.

Is "worst performing" always negative?

Yes, "worst performing" inherently carries a negative connotation, as it indicates a deficiency or failure to meet expectations compared to others. However, identifying the "worst performing" element can be the first step toward improvement.