perform poorly vs perform worse

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Perform poorly' is used to indicate that someone or something is not doing well in comparison to a standard or expectation. 'Perform worse' is used to compare the performance of two or more entities, indicating that one is doing less well than the others.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 1219 views

perform poorly

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that someone or something is not performing well in comparison to a standard or expectation.

This phrase is used to describe a situation where someone or something is not meeting the expected level of performance.

Examples:

The team performed poorly in the match.
The company's stock is performing poorly this quarter.

Show examples from the web [+]

Compared to native pupils, many migrant children perform poorly at school and have higher school drop-out rates and lower rates of enrolment in higher education.
In Africa, where the majority of public and municipal services perform poorly, the general organisation and financial management of this sector needs to be reformed in order to improve the level of supply, especially if this area is to attract investment.
With regard to social indicators, in particular, the CER claims that Greece performs very poorly on combating poverty, long-term unemployment and on the rich-poor divide.
whereas public and private energy research budgets in the European Union have declined substantially since the 1980s; and whereas the European Union performs poorly when innovation indicators based on technology research spending levels are compared at international level,
whereas public and private energy research budgets in the European Union have declined substantially since the 1980s; and whereas the European Union performs poorly when innovation indicators based on technology research spending levels are compared at international level,
K. whereas public and private energy research budgets in the EU have declined substantially since the 1980s, and Europe performs poorly when innovation indicators based on technology research spending levels are compared at international level,
Is the Commission planning to take action for better integration of children with a migration background, given that they often perform more poorly at school?
Presently, even these institutions are poorly financed, and thus, floundering and failing to perform their already limited functions.
Manufacturers are obliged to indicate the energy consumption irrespective of whether the product performs well (green "A" class) or poorly (red "G" class) on this measure.
Manufacturers are currently obliged to indicate the annual energy consumption irrespective of whether the product performs well (dark green "A" class) or poorly (red "G" class) on this measure.
Manufacturers are currently obliged to indicate the annual energy consumption irrespective of whether the product performs well (dark green "A" class) or poorly (red "G" class) on this measure.

Alternatives:

do badly
underperform
fall short
not meet expectations
be ineffective

perform worse

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to compare the performance of two or more entities, indicating that one is doing less well than the others.

This phrase is used to compare the performance of two or more entities, indicating that one is doing less well than the others.