a poor time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a poor time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or period that is not favorable or is characterized by difficulties. Example: "This has been a poor time for our business due to the economic downturn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Spencer crashed in the second 125-mile qualifying race Thursday and did not make the Daytona field because he had posted a poor time in time trials a week earlier.

The New York Times - Sports

It is, perhaps, a poor time to celebrate.

The New York Times - Tech

According to a chart inside the hut, we have picked a poor time for eagle watching.

The New York Times - Arts

Bell was among those who had a poor time of it.

Independent

For the Nissan Motor Company, it seems like a poor time to be thinking about expanding in the United States.

The New York Times

But he noted that the summer was a poor time to gather data, at least statistically speaking.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

I'm a constituent of hers, and although some find her a poor time-keeper with a weakness for grand pieties, her local reputation is good among many.

The Guardian

FBMC however suffers from a poor time-frequency efficiency for short bursts.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

As in the case of the standard STFT, the main drawback of the robust STFT is a poor time-frequency resolution.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

The Nielsen ratings declined throughout the season, which Homicide producers attributed to a poor time-slot and heavy competition from the ABC comedies Home Improvement and Coach.

Wikipedia

Moreover, the low activity rates typical from cortical media lead to a poor time-averaging of the incoming input, and therefore the fluctuations at the postsynaptic level will be large at these short-time scales (of the order of the typical synaptic integration time constant).

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific event or action that was ill-timed, use "a poor time" to emphasize the negative consequences or lack of suitability. For example, "Releasing the product during the holiday season proved to be "a poor time" due to high competition."

Common error

While "a poor time" is generally acceptable, avoid using it in highly formal contexts such as academic papers or legal documents. Opt for more precise and sophisticated alternatives like "an inopportune moment" or "an unfavorable period."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a poor time" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes a period or moment characterized by unfavorable conditions or circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a poor time" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an inopportune or unfavorable moment or period. Ludwig AI's analysis shows it's most frequently used in news and media, with supporting evidence from scientific and wiki sources. While versatile, it's advisable to consider the level of formality required, opting for more precise language in formal documents. Related phrases like "an inopportune moment" or "an unfavorable period" can provide more nuance depending on the context. Remember to use the phrase strategically to convey negative consequences or a lack of suitability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bad moment

A more general term indicating an undesirable or unpleasant time.

an inopportune moment

Emphasizes the lack of suitability or appropriateness of the timing.

an unfavorable period

Focuses on the negative circumstances surrounding the time frame.

an unsuitable moment

Highlights the lack of suitability of the time for a specific purpose.

an unpropitious occasion

Highlights the lack of auspiciousness or good fortune associated with the time.

an untimely occasion

Stresses the inappropriateness of the timing in relation to an event.

a difficult juncture

Implies a challenging or critical point in time.

an inauspicious period

Suggests a time marked by unfavorable signs or omens.

an unfortunate instance

Highlights the regrettable nature of the timing or event.

an awkward timing

Focuses on the uncomfortable or inappropriate aspect of the timing.

FAQs

What does "a poor time" mean?

The phrase "a poor time" refers to an unsuitable, unfavorable, or inappropriate moment or period. It suggests that something is happening at an unfortunate or disadvantageous time.

What can I say instead of "a poor time"?

You can use alternatives like "an inopportune moment", "an unfavorable period", or "an unsuitable moment" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it was a poor timing"?

While the concept is similar, "a poor time" usually refers to a duration or period, whereas "poor timing" refers more directly to the act or instance of timing something badly. They are used in slightly different contexts.

How do I use "a poor time" in a sentence?

You can use "a poor time" to describe situations like "It was "a poor time" to invest in the stock market" or "This is "a poor time" to launch a new product."