What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
badly
Example
He played badly in the soccer match and missed several opportunities. [badly: adverb]
Example
She felt badly after eating too much junk food. [badly: adverb]
Example
I badly need a vacation. [badly: adverb]
poorly
Example
The car was poorly made and had many mechanical issues. [poorly: adverb]
Example
He performed poorly in the exam and got a low grade. [poorly: adverb]
Example
She felt poorly and decided to stay home from work. [poorly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Poorly is more commonly used than badly in everyday language. Poorly is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts to describe low quality or substandard conditions. Badly is less common and is primarily used to describe poor performance or outcomes.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between badly and poorly?
While poorly is generally considered more formal, badly is more informal and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
