badly kept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "badly kept" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is poorly maintained or not taken care of, such as a property or an object. Example: "The garden was badly kept, with overgrown weeds and untrimmed hedges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Mourning also divulged another badly kept secret.

The New York Times - Sports

The image of men behaving badly kept coming up.

The New York Times

The old buildings are so wonderfully grand that they highlight the cheap, ugly and badly kept new ones.

The Economist

But here's a badly kept secret: An awful lot of best-selling adult books have the large fonts, short chapters and simple ideas of young-adult books anyhow.

The New York Times - Books

BEIJING — It's a badly kept secret in Beijing that quite a few Chinese officials, including very senior ones, never warmed to Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The New York Times

The company insists that the sandwich went viral through grassroots efforts, but it made sure the secret was as badly kept as possible.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Even when you get a low score or bowl badly keep your head up you have a team to captain.

WikiHow

Then you will be motivated not to spend as much since you may want these items really badly Keep spare change.

WikiHow

While a company in such dire financial straits as Hynix probably should fold, it's easy to see why the government wants so badly to keep it alive.

Forbes

We need to create and ingest art so badly to keep us sane in a world that everyday appears to be spinning more and more out of control.

Huffington Post

I mean, I felt ridiculous," said Kuznetsova. "But I just wanted to win so badly, so I kept on fighting".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "badly kept", ensure it clearly describes the state of neglect or poor maintenance you intend to convey. Consider the context to determine if a more specific synonym, like "dilapidated" or "neglected", would be more impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "badly kept" when you mean something was simply designed poorly. "Badly kept" refers to neglect and deterioration over time, not inherent flaws in construction or design.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "badly kept" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its state of poor maintenance or neglect. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

13%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "badly kept" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes something in a state of poor maintenance or neglect. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is diverse, ranging from describing physical spaces to intangible concepts like secrets. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, and while it carries a neutral tone, it's essential to use it accurately to convey the intended meaning of neglect rather than inherent design flaws. Alternatives such as "poorly maintained" or "in disrepair" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poorly maintained

Focuses on the lack of upkeep and maintenance.

poorly looked after

Emphasizes the lack of care and attention.

shabbily maintained

Highlights the poor condition due to neglect.

in disrepair

Indicates a state of damage and neglect.

rundown

Suggests a state of decline and deterioration.

neglected

Emphasizes the lack of attention and care.

untended

Focuses on the absence of care or cultivation.

in poor condition

A general term for something not in good shape.

dilapidated

Describes something that is falling apart.

ramshackle

Suggests a state of disorganization and disrepair.

FAQs

How can I use "badly kept" in a sentence?

You can use "badly kept" to describe something not properly maintained. For example, "The garden was "badly kept", with overgrown weeds and untrimmed hedges."

What can I say instead of "badly kept"?

You can use alternatives like "poorly maintained", "neglected", or "in disrepair" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "badly kept" or "badly maintain"?

"Badly kept" is correct because it describes the state of something that has not been maintained. "Badly maintain" is grammatically incorrect; the correct verb form would be "badly maintained".

What's the difference between "badly kept" and "poorly kept"?

While both convey a lack of maintenance, "badly kept" suggests a more severe state of neglect or disrepair than "poorly kept". "Poorly kept" implies a less extreme level of neglect.