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bad at English vs poor at English

"Bad at English" and "poor at English" are correct phrases, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "Bad at English" is more commonly used in informal situations, while "poor at English" is just a bit more formal. The choice between the two depends on the level of formality you want to convey.
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Explained by Vince
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: October 10, 2024 • 14874 views

bad at English

This phrase is correct and commonly used in informal contexts.

This phrase is used to express a lack of proficiency in the English language in a casual or informal way.

Examples:

  • I'm really bad at English grammar.
  • She's not bad at English, but she struggles with pronunciation.
  • May 1, 2017 ... You're not bad at English, you just don't know how to write well. Sadly, that's very normal, as school is often a very poor environment for learning writing ...
  • Nov 13, 2021 ... Advice on writing a character who is bad at English. My first language is English and I'm writing a character who's first language is ...
  • Sep 2, 2016 ... Why are some people good at math and science but bad at English and writing and vice versa? It all has to do with your brain ...
  • Jan 6, 2016 ... Why are koreans so bad at english? Since we have a lot of teachers here I thought I might seize the opportunity to ask for your views on why ...
  • Mar 6, 2023 ... You are not 'bad at English' - at the worst, your English isn't great - yet (and it's probably not half as bad as you think it is!)
  • May 6, 2012 ... Why are Japanese so bad at English? · 1. Inadequate reinforcement of the lessons. It's not that the grammar-translation method doesn't work, it's ...
  • Oct 6, 2017 ... at is correct.|I am bad at English.
  • May 31, 2019 ... Someone on Quora asked, “Am I bad at English?” They took a test and got a bad score. So now this person is worried they are poor at speaking ...
  • Engineers are bad at English? College Majors Engineering Majors · 6maverick6 May 17, 2009, 10:11pm 1. <p>So, I went to this “Engineering Showcase” program ...
  • Jun 17, 2009 ... Are any of you bad at english and your native language? I've been raised in America all my life, but I suck at speaking english.

Alternatives:

  • not good at English
  • struggling with English

poor at English

This phrase is correct and more formal than "bad at English".

This phrase is used to indicate a lack of proficiency in the English language in a more formal context.

Examples:

  • He is poor at English composition.
  • The student is poor at English vocabulary.
  • Feb 8, 2014 ... 'I am poor at English' is the favoured expression, but it is not entirely incorrect to say 'I am poor in English'.
  • Mar 29, 2003 ... "She is poor AT English. SHe is poor IN English. My thoughts are that IN implies some form of deficiency or lack of something."
  • 6 days ago ... I am abysmally poor at English please help me! Although I have an average to sub average vocabulary my grammar is terrible——recently I ...
  • We are trying to change the stereotype that Chinese are poor at English and unwilling to speak to foreigners. Many Chinese students have no interest in ...
  • Dec 2, 2021 ... Perfect at Math, Poor at English. I'm a sophomore and I just got my national merit psat back early from the school portal and got a 1370 (760 ...
  • Jun 3, 2017 ... Similarly, another person is poor at English. Do native speakers use the same preposition? Thanks. Back to top ...
  • Oct 15, 2009 ... Many scientists and math types are poor at English because many scientists come from countries where English is not the primary language.
  • Jul 13, 2016 ... Hi, I am poor at English. I would say "poor at music". Last edited: Jul 13, ...
  • Sep 17, 2020 ... Why are Japanese people thought to be poor at English in the English speaking world? All related (40).
  • Poor at English, I wrote 'I angry with you' in my job acceptance letter. By HVV. Mon 9/9/2024, 04:14 pm (PT). After being accepted into a foreign company, I ...

Alternatives:

  • lacking in English skills
  • deficient in English

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