awkward time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awkward time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or moment that feels uncomfortable or tense, often in social contexts. Example: "The conversation took an awkward turn, leaving everyone in the room feeling like it was an awkward time to be there."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The confession comes at an awkward time.

The Economist

But it comes at an awkward time.

The New York Times

Depay's return comes at an awkward time.

Independent

Lonergan's dismissal comes at an awkward time.

The Washington Post

The judgment comes at an awkward time for E.D.F.

The New York Times

It was Ramadan, an awkward time to approach government officials.

The New Yorker

The downgrade comes at a particularly awkward time for Greece.

The New York Times

Jeter's down season comes at an awkward time.

The New York Times - Sports

It could not have come at a more awkward time.

The Guardian

The research comes at an awkward time for the coalition.

The Guardian

Mr. Breaux's announcement came at an awkward time for Democrats.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "awkward time", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the time period uncomfortable or problematic. Providing specific details enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "awkward time" as a vague placeholder. Always specify why the time is awkward. For example, instead of "It was an awkward time", say "It was an awkward time because the negotiations had just stalled."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awkward time" functions as a noun phrase, where "awkward" modifies the noun "time". It describes a period characterized by difficulty, discomfort, or social unease. Ludwig AI examples show its use in diverse situations, from political scandals to personal circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "awkward time" is a commonly used phrase to describe a period marked by discomfort, difficulty, or social unease. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, academic, and business contexts. To use it effectively, provide clear context about what makes the time awkward. While versatile, avoid overuse without specific details. Alternatives such as "inconvenient timing" or "sensitive moment" can offer nuanced variations depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inopportune moment

Replaces "time" with "moment", emphasizing the specific point in time as unsuitable.

uncomfortable period

Substitutes "awkward" with "uncomfortable" and "time" with "period", focusing on the feeling of unease during a span of time.

difficult juncture

Replaces "awkward" with "difficult" and "time" with "juncture", highlighting a challenging point in events.

inconvenient timing

Changes "time" to "timing" and "awkward" to "inconvenient" stressing the unsuitability of when something occurs.

sensitive moment

Emphasizes the delicacy and potential for problems during a specific time.

tricky situation

Shifts the focus from time to the overall circumstance, highlighting its complexity.

challenging phase

Replaces "time" with "phase", referring to a distinct period with difficulties.

untimely occurrence

Emphasizes the poor timing of an event, making the situation difficult.

precarious stage

Highlights the instability and potential danger during a certain period.

unfortunate episode

Focuses on the negative and regrettable nature of a particular event or period.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "awkward time"?

You can use alternatives like "inconvenient time", "difficult period", or "sensitive moment" depending on the specific context.

How can I use "awkward time" in a sentence?

You might say, "The announcement came at an "awkward time", just as the negotiations were about to begin", to indicate that the timing of the announcement was inopportune.

What makes a "time" specifically "awkward"?

An "awkward time" is typically marked by discomfort, difficulty, or inappropriateness, often due to social tensions, inopportune timing, or conflicting circumstances.

Is there a difference between "awkward time" and "awkward moment"?

While both imply discomfort, "awkward time" refers to a period, whereas "awkward moment" refers to a specific instant.