15秒了解
- Describes items that are damaged, worn, or poorly maintained.
- Used for physical objects, buildings, or general health states.
- A polite, objective way to say something is in bad shape.
意思
This phrase describes something that is broken, worn out, or hasn't been taken care of properly. It's like saying a car is falling apart or an old book has torn pages.
关键例句
3 / 6Buying a used car
The engine is fine, but the interior is in poor condition.
The engine is fine, but the interior is in poor condition.
Reporting a road issue
The local roads are in poor condition after the winter storm.
The local roads are in poor condition after the winter storm.
Talking about an old book
I found a first edition, but it's in such poor condition that the pages fall out.
I found a first edition, but it's in such poor condition that the pages fall out.
文化背景
In the US, 'poor condition' is a legal term in real estate disclosures. Sellers must list items in the home that are in poor condition to avoid future lawsuits. British people often use 'poor condition' as a polite understatement. If a house is literally falling down, they might calmly say it's 'in rather poor condition.' On sites like eBay or Etsy, 'Poor Condition' is the lowest possible rating for an item. It usually means the item is only good for parts or needs a total restoration. In international medical English, 'poor condition' is a specific status. It is one step above 'critical condition' but suggests the patient is very unstable.
Use it for negotiation
If you are at a flea market, pointing out that an item is in 'poor condition' is a polite way to ask for a lower price.
Avoid 'a'
Remember: 'in poor condition,' NOT 'in a poor condition.' This is the most common mistake for B1 learners.
15秒了解
- Describes items that are damaged, worn, or poorly maintained.
- Used for physical objects, buildings, or general health states.
- A polite, objective way to say something is in bad shape.
What It Means
Poor condition is a simple way to say something is in bad shape. It means the item is damaged or very old. You might see scratches, dents, or parts that don't work. It isn't just for objects, though. It can describe a house, a road, or even a person's health. Think of it as the opposite of 'brand new' or 'mint condition.'
How To Use It
You usually use it after the verb to be. For example, 'The house is in poor condition.' You can also use it as an adjective before a noun. 'I bought a poor condition guitar to fix up.' It is a very flexible phrase. It works for big things like buildings and small things like toys. It sounds more polite than saying something is 'trash' or 'garbage.'
When To Use It
Use this when you are being honest about quality. It is perfect for online shopping descriptions. If you are selling an old phone with a cracked screen, be fair. Tell the buyer it is in poor condition. You can also use it in professional reports. A mechanic might say your car's tires are in poor condition. It’s also common when discussing history or vintage items.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for people unless you are talking about medical health. If your friend looks tired, don't say they are in poor condition. That sounds like they belong in a hospital! Instead, say they 'look tired.' Also, avoid it for food. We don't say 'this apple is in poor condition.' We say the apple is 'rotten' or 'spoiled.'
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, being honest about an item's state is valued. This is especially true in 'second-hand' culture like eBay or garage sales. Using poor condition shows you are a trustworthy seller. It manages the buyer's expectations so they aren't disappointed. It’s a way to be realistic without being overly dramatic or rude about an object.
Common Variations
You might hear people say bad condition or rough shape. In the UK, someone might say it’s seen better days. If it’s really bad, people say it’s in terrible condition. If it’s just a little bit used, they might say fair condition. It’s all part of a scale from 'perfect' to 'broken.'
使用说明
The phrase is highly versatile and safe for almost any situation. Just remember to use the preposition 'in' and avoid using it to describe people's general appearance.
Use it for negotiation
If you are at a flea market, pointing out that an item is in 'poor condition' is a polite way to ask for a lower price.
Avoid 'a'
Remember: 'in poor condition,' NOT 'in a poor condition.' This is the most common mistake for B1 learners.
Add adverbs
To sound more like a native speaker, use 'rather' or 'extremely' to modify the phrase: 'It's in rather poor condition.'
例句
6The engine is fine, but the interior is in poor condition.
The engine is fine, but the interior is in poor condition.
Used to distinguish between different parts of an object.
The local roads are in poor condition after the winter storm.
The local roads are in poor condition after the winter storm.
Describes public infrastructure that needs repair.
I found a first edition, but it's in such poor condition that the pages fall out.
I found a first edition, but it's in such poor condition that the pages fall out.
Emphasizes the physical fragility of an item.
The flat is cheap, but honestly, it's in poor condition.
The flat is cheap, but honestly, it's in poor condition.
A polite way to warn a friend that a place is messy or broken.
My laptop is in such poor condition it takes twenty minutes to open a calculator.
My laptop is in such poor condition it takes twenty minutes to open a calculator.
Using the phrase to exaggerate how slow or old tech is.
It’s sad to see the ancient temple in such poor condition.
It’s sad to see the ancient temple in such poor condition.
Expresses regret over the neglect of something important.
自我测试
Fill in the missing words to complete the sentence.
The old bridge was closed because it was ____ ____ condition.
The standard collocation is 'in poor condition' without an article.
Which sentence is the most natural for a professional report?
A report about a broken school roof:
'In poor condition' is the standard professional way to describe damage.
Match the item with the reason it is in poor condition.
Match the following:
All these are valid reasons for something to be in poor condition.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Did you see the used bike for sale? B: Yes, but I didn't buy it. It was ____.
This is the most natural way to decline a purchase due to quality.
🎉 得分： /4
视觉学习工具
The Condition Scale
练习题库
4 练习The old bridge was closed because it was ____ ____ condition.
The standard collocation is 'in poor condition' without an article.
A report about a broken school roof:
'In poor condition' is the standard professional way to describe damage.
将左侧的每个项目与右侧的配对匹配:
All these are valid reasons for something to be in poor condition.
A: Did you see the used bike for sale? B: Yes, but I didn't buy it. It was ____.
This is the most natural way to decline a purchase due to quality.
🎉 得分： /4
常见问题
10 个问题Yes, 'bad condition' is perfectly fine and very common in casual speech. 'Poor condition' just sounds a bit more formal and descriptive.
If you say it about their house or car, it might be seen as a criticism. It's better to use it for your own things or in a professional context.
Yes! If your hair is damaged from dye or heat, you can say 'My hair is in poor condition.'
The most common opposites are 'excellent condition,' 'great shape,' or 'mint condition' (for collectibles).
Always use 'in.' You are 'in' a state or condition.
Yes, that is grammatically correct, but 'in poor condition' is a more common set phrase.
Yes, very often. It's used to describe assets, equipment, or even the state of a market.
Yes, it's a bit formal, but you can say 'Their relationship is in poor condition.'
No, in this phrase, 'poor' means 'low quality.'
A1 students can use it, but they usually just say 'it is bad.' B1 is where you should start using this specific phrase.
相关表达
bad shape
similarIn a bad physical state.
run down
specialized formSpecifically for buildings or areas that are neglected.
mint condition
contrastPerfect, like new.
wear and tear
builds onNormal damage from using something.
