awkward timing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awkward 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 inappropriate or uncomfortable. Example: "The awkward timing of his joke during the serious meeting made everyone feel uneasy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

In the efforts to militate against the awkward timing, some of the caretakers reported to have stayed awake until such time.

BMC Health Services Research

James: It was awkward timing.

The New York Times

Despite the awkward timing, the tension over Magnitsky barely came up at the meeting.

The New York Times

Financial analysts applauded Ford's move even while noting the awkward timing.

The New York Times

Then there is the awkward timing of the Fed's experiment in quantitative easing, its purchases of longer-term securities.

The New York Times

The awkward timing of the canonizations, however, was more likely a blunder by Vatican officials than an intentional provocation.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

These people complicate the usual story of our sexual revolution only because of an awkward bit of timing: their libidinal awakening arrived in the heyday of Victorian England.

The New Yorker

The detentions are particularly awkward for their timing -- just as the United States opened the first public bilateral talks with Tehran after almost three decades of a diplomatic deep freeze, following the 1979-81 takeofer of the U.S. Embassy, in which 52 Americans were held for 444 days.

The Washington Post

In an awkward bit of timing, the Amazon acquisition comes on the same day a patent the company filed has been revealed for a technology that would block price comparison searches on mobile devices in Amazon stores.

TechCrunch

This is either awkward or perfect timing for the release of the world's most popular soccer video game, FIFA 17, which officially dropped this week.

Vice

"Admittedly, the timing was awkward," Jim Yardley writes in The New York Times.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "awkward timing", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Is it merely inconvenient, or does it have more serious implications? Choose synonyms or rephrase accordingly for clarity.

Common error

Don't use "awkward timing" if the situation involves genuinely harmful consequences. While it can denote mild discomfort, it may not be suitable for scenarios with severe repercussions; choose a stronger phrase to convey the gravity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awkward timing" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "awkward" modifies the noun "timing". It is used to describe a situation where the point in time at which an event occurs is unsuitable or creates discomfort. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "awkward timing" is a commonly used phrase to describe situations where an event or action occurs at an inappropriate or inconvenient moment. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently found in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, its use implies a sense of discomfort or inappropriateness. For more formal or impactful scenarios, stronger alternatives may be considered. Avoid overusing the term for situations with genuinely harmful consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bad timing

A general phrase indicating that the timing is not right.

poorly timed

A simpler way to describe bad timing.

wrong moment

Highlights that the timing is incorrect or inappropriate.

inopportune moment

Focuses on the moment being badly chosen.

inconvenient moment

Highlights the difficulty or trouble caused by the timing.

unfortunate moment

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

untimely moment

Implies that the timing is premature or inappropriate for the situation.

ill-timed event

Highlights that the event was poorly timed.

clumsy moment

Emphasizes the gracelessness or lack of skill in the timing.

unsuitable time

Indicates the time isn't appropriate.

FAQs

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

You can use "awkward timing" to describe a situation where the timing of an event is inconvenient or inappropriate. For example: "The announcement of the layoffs had "awkward timing", coming just before the holidays."

What can I say instead of "awkward timing"?

Alternatives to "awkward timing" include "inopportune moment", "poorly timed", or "bad timing", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "awkward timing" and "bad timing"?

"Awkward timing" often implies a slightly uncomfortable or inappropriate situation due to when something occurs, while "bad timing" is a more general term for when something happens at an unsuitable moment. The phrase "awkward timing" adds the sense of social discomfort to the situation.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "awkward timing"?

The phrase "awkward timing" is appropriate when you want to highlight that the occurrence of an event or action is ill-suited for the moment, creating a sense of discomfort or inappropriateness.