bad timing

USAGE SUMMARY

'bad timing' is correct and is used in written English.
You would use 'bad timing' when something happens at an unfortunate time. For example, "It was bad timing that I got sick the day of my big presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

The New York Times

Sports

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was bad timing.

The New Yorker

Just bad timing.

The New York Times - Sports

It was totally bad timing.

The New York Times

Partly it was bad timing.

The New York Times

Sonia Sotomayor had bad timing.

The New York Times

Part of it was simply bad timing.

The New York Times - Sports

Part of the problem was bad timing.

The New York Times

California Plaza's immediate problem is bad timing.

The New York Times

McEnroe's real problem is bad timing.

The New York Times - Sports

CALL it short-sightedness or just bad timing.

The Economist

It's a small injury, but just bad timing.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bad timing" to describe situations where an event or action occurs at the most unsuitable or disadvantageous moment, often leading to negative consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "bad timing" when the situation requires a stronger term like 'catastrophic' or 'disastrous'. "Bad timing" implies inconvenience, not necessarily a major calamity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad timing" primarily functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "bad" modifies the noun "timing". Ludwig's examples show its use to describe unfavorable circumstances, often leading to negative outcomes. It's a common way to express that something happened at an inopportune moment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Sports

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bad timing" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe situations where something happens at an inopportune moment. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While generally neutral in register, its impact can range from mild inconvenience to significant negative consequences. When writing, consider stronger alternatives if the situation warrants more emphasis, but otherwise, "bad timing" provides a clear and concise way to express unfortunate synchronicity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inopportune moment

Replaces the adjective "bad" with "inopportune" to emphasize the unsuitability of the moment.

unfortunate timing

Substitutes "bad" with "unfortunate", softening the negative connotation.

poorly timed

Uses an adverb and past participle to describe the timing, focusing on the action of timing itself.

untimely occurrence

Shifts the focus from timing to the event itself, describing it as untimely.

ill-timed event

Emphasizes the negative impact with "ill-timed", suggesting a more significant problem.

inconvenient moment

Highlights the disruptive aspect by using "inconvenient" to describe the moment.

awkward timing

Implies social discomfort or difficulty, changing the nuance slightly.

wrong time

Uses simpler language to express the idea of an inappropriate moment.

mistimed

Short, direct verb form expressing an error in timing.

inappropriate time

Suggests the timing is not suitable or fitting for the situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "bad timing" to describe an event that happens at an inopportune moment. For example, "The release of the new product suffered from "bad timing", launching just as the economy entered a recession".

What are some alternatives to "bad timing"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "unfortunate timing", "inopportune moment", or "poorly timed" as alternatives to "bad timing".

Is "bad timing" formal or informal?

"Bad timing" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "untimely occurrence" might be preferred in highly formal settings.

What makes timing "bad"?

Timing is considered "bad" when an event or action coincides with circumstances that make it less effective, more difficult, or likely to produce negative results. This could be due to conflicting events, economic conditions, or other external factors.