Grammar fix
poor health
bad health
A state of not being healthy, often because of illness, weakness, or unhealthy habits.
collocationB1common
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
After years of working long hours and not exercising, he found himself in poor health.
If people have poor health, they may find it difficult to work or enjoy daily activities, which can affect their quality of life.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: He has a poor health.
Say: He's in poor health.
'In poor health' (no 'a') or 'have poor health'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Suboptimal physical wellbeing' is jargon; 'in poor health' is the set phrase.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
poor health
- in poor health
- due to poor health
- poor health
- ill health