Difficult timing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Difficult timing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where the timing of an event or action is challenging or not ideal. Example: "The project faced difficult timing due to unexpected delays in the supply chain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"It was a case of difficult timing," said Dr. Fudemberg, now 29.

The New York Times

On the other hand Clegg believes the public is with him on some big measure of change — notwithstanding the difficult timing at a moment of financial and economic trouble.

The New Yorker

This is deliciously difficult timing in that, for his first appearance, Brady will have to face the team and fans he cheated, as the Patriots' fifth game is against the Colts in Indianapolis.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"The other explanations have a difficult time … explaining the timing and magnitude of the increase we saw in 2015 and continue to see in some cities in the current year," Rosenfeld said.

The Guardian

The four actors have mastered the difficult comic timing demanded by the script, and if these characters don't ever quite achieve true depth, Mr. Harrison has obviously done some homework, pinning his absurdist antics to a framework of fact.

The New York Times

The watchmaker Girard-Perregaux supplied what may be the first examples to the German Imperial Navy in 1880, after an officer reportedly complained that operating a pocket watch was difficult when timing a bombardment.

The New York Times

I am interested in these sorts of studies because they show how difficult market timing is even for professional fund managers with access to far more information than individual investors and advisers enjoy.

Forbes

The early laboratory diagnosis of SARS-CoV infection is difficult; optimal timing for specimen collection and currently available diagnostic tests need to be refined further.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

That can make practice timing difficult — "when our time is up, some days we'll have to make way for the soccer team or one of the high schools," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

These findings strongly suggest engagement of different neural networks in difficult or easier timing and indicate a framework for understanding timing representation in the brain.

Neurobiology of Learning and Memory

What makes the cuts particularly difficult is the timing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult timing", consider whether a more specific phrase might better convey the nature of the difficulty. For example, instead of saying "the project suffered from difficult timing", you could say "the project was delayed due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts".

Common error

Avoid using "difficult timing" as a generic placeholder for any kind of problem. Ensure that the difficulty truly stems from the timing of events, not from other unrelated factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult timing" functions as a noun phrase, where "difficult" modifies the noun "timing". It is often used to describe a challenging or unfavorable situation related to when something occurs. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult timing" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to describe a situation made challenging by when it occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable, although it's relatively rare and often replaceable with more specific terms depending on the context. Be aware of its generic nature; consider whether a more precise phrase would better suit your writing. Top sources include The New York Times, The Guardian and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Bad timing

A more concise and direct way of expressing that the time is not right.

Inconvenient timing

Emphasizes the trouble or difficulty caused by the scheduling of an event.

Awkward timing

Highlights the discomfort or inconvenience caused by the specific time an event occurs.

Unfortunate timing

Underscores the bad luck or negative consequences associated with the timing.

Poorly timed

Directly criticizes the quality or suitability of the timing itself.

Inopportune moment

Focuses on the unsuitability of the moment, shifting the emphasis from the timing itself to the situation surrounding it.

Untimely moment

Emphasizes the inappropriateness of the timing, often implying negative consequences.

Challenging scheduling

Shifts the focus to the act of scheduling, rather than the inherent difficulty of the timing itself.

Problematic scheduling

Highlights issues in scheduling that makes it difficult to find the proper time.

Unfavorable circumstances

Broadens the scope to include overall conditions that contribute to the timing being difficult.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult timing" in a sentence?

You can use "difficult timing" to describe situations where the timing of an event or action is challenging or inopportune. For example, "The merger faced "bad timing" due to the economic downturn".

What's a simpler way to say "difficult timing"?

Alternatives include "bad timing", "inconvenient timing", or "poorly timed". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to have "difficult timing"?

Yes, "difficult timing" generally implies a negative connotation, suggesting that the circumstances or scheduling pose a challenge or create an unfavorable situation.

What factors can contribute to "difficult timing"?

Many factors can contribute to "difficult timing", such as unexpected delays, conflicting schedules, economic conditions, or unforeseen events. These elements can converge to make the "timing problematic".