at the wrong time

USAGE SUMMARY

"at the wrong time" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used in a wide variety of contexts when referring to something that has happened or is happening at an inopportune or unfortunate time. For example, "John was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was hauled off to jail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"You'll probably buy at the wrong time and sell at the wrong time".

The New York Times

"I was born at the wrong time.

The Guardian - Sport

Growing at the wrong time of year?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Did I leave at the wrong time?

The Guardian - Travel

Everything is at the wrong time".

The New Yorker

I hooked at the wrong time, swung at the wrong time.

The New York Times

We are in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Independent

It's being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The New York Times

They were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Independent

"Lots of teams change at the wrong time," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Maybe the plants had been sprayed at the wrong time.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events, use "at the wrong time" to emphasize the unfortunate timing and its impact on the outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "at the wrong time" with a tense that doesn't match the context. For example, instead of saying "He will arrive at the wrong time", ensure it aligns with the intended meaning and potential consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the wrong time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify when something happened, emphasizing the inappropriateness or misfortune of the timing. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at the wrong time" is a common and versatile expression used to indicate that something occurred at an inopportune or unfortunate moment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable. Primarily found in News & Media contexts, it serves to express that timing played a crucial, negative role in an event. While "at the wrong time" is the most idiomatic choice, alternatives like "at an inopportune moment" or "in an untimely manner" can offer slightly different shades of meaning. When using this phrase, ensure that the tense aligns correctly with the context to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a bad time

This is a simpler and more direct way of expressing the same idea.

at an inopportune moment

This alternative highlights the lack of suitability of the timing.

at an unfortunate moment

This alternative emphasizes the negative aspect associated with the timing.

poorly timed

This is a straightforward alternative, emphasizing the bad timing.

at the worst possible moment

This alternative stresses that the timing couldn't have been worse.

inappropriately timed

This alternative underlines the inappropriateness of the timing.

in an untimely manner

This option emphasizes that the timing was badly chosen.

ill-timed

This is a concise and formal way of conveying the idea of poor timing.

inconveniently timed

This alternative emphasizes the inconvenience caused by the timing.

out of season

This suggests the timing is inappropriate for a particular activity or event.

FAQs

How can I use "at the wrong time" in a sentence?

You can use "at the wrong time" to describe an event that occurred at an inopportune moment, such as, "The market went down "at the wrong time"."

What are some alternatives to "at the wrong time"?

Alternatives include "at an inopportune moment", "at an unfortunate moment", or "in an untimely manner", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "at the wrong time" or "at the incorrect time"?

"At the wrong time" is generally preferred as it sounds more natural and is more commonly used. "At the incorrect time" ("at the incorrect time") is grammatically correct but less idiomatic.

What does it mean to be in the wrong place "at the wrong time"?

Being in the wrong place "at the wrong time" typically means encountering an unfavorable or dangerous situation due to being present at an unfortunate location and moment.