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"Shoddy" vs. "substandard": parsing the nuances of quality
Lloyd Cooper 18/10/2024, 18:45English.me team member
What is similar?
Both words describe something of low quality or inferior workmanship.
What is different?
Shoddy often implies a sense of deception or inferior material, sometimes with a connotation of being quickly or poorly made. Substandard refers more directly to something not meeting the expected or required standards.
Which one is more common?
Examples of usage
Shoddy- The shoddy workmanship was evident in the loose stitches and uneven fabric.
- After opening the package, I realized the product inside was shoddy and not worth the money.
- They received complaints about the shoddy construction of the new homes.
- The inspector found the building's wiring to be substandard and unsafe.
- Many people are forced to live in substandard housing due to high rents.
- The substandard quality of the materials caused the project to be delayed.
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