Definitions
- Describing something that is done in a bad or unsatisfactory manner. - Referring to something that is of low quality or not up to standard. - Talking about someone who is feeling unwell or sick.
- Describing something that is not enough or inadequate. - Referring to something that is lacking in quantity or quality. - Talking about someone who has not done enough or has not met the required standard.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe a lack or inadequacy.
- 2Both words are adverbs.
- 3Both words can be used to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
- 4Both words express a negative connotation.
What is the difference?
- 1Degree: Poorly implies a lower level of quality or performance than insufficiently.
- 2Type of lack: Poorly refers to a general lack of quality or performance, while insufficiently refers to a specific lack of quantity or quality.
- 3Usage: Poorly is more commonly used to describe a person's performance or a thing's quality, while insufficiently is more commonly used to describe a quantity or amount.
- 4Connotation: Poorly can imply a lack of effort or care, while insufficiently implies a lack of resources or capability.
Remember this!
While poorly and insufficiently both describe a lack or inadequacy, they differ in degree, type of lack, usage, part of speech, and connotation. Poorly implies a lower level of quality or performance, while insufficiently refers to a specific lack of quantity or quality. Poorly is more commonly used to describe a person's performance or a thing's quality, while insufficiently is more commonly used to describe a quantity or amount.
