badly maintained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "badly maintained" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has not been adequately taken care of or managed. For example, "The roads in this town are badly maintained, making them unsafe to drive on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Equipment is often old and badly maintained.

The Economist

Its picturesque cobbled streets are badly maintained.

The Guardian

Some are quite grim, poorly run and badly maintained.

The New York Times

They found that the badly maintained points caused Masson's death.

The Guardian

Others have been badly maintained or have simply silted up.

The Economist

These problems are compounded by the use of faulty or badly maintained sensors.

Chemical Engineering Research and Design

Take a look at how badly maintained the piece of property is: it's disgusting.

The Guardian

Mr. Vanaria testified at hearings on the dangers of badly maintained utility wires.

The New York Times

Yes, badly maintained tracks, trains, or signals can sometimes contribute to a derailment.

The New Yorker

The Heygate was bleak, poorly built and badly maintained, but it housed many of London's poorest.

The Guardian

The $1,550-a-month apartment, on East 117th Street, was badly maintained, they said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "badly maintained", consider the specific aspect that is suffering from neglect. For example, instead of saying "The building is badly maintained", specify "The building's plumbing is badly maintained".

Common error

Avoid using "badly maintained" as a vague descriptor. Provide specific details about what aspects are poorly maintained to give a clearer and more impactful message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "badly maintained" primarily functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, describing its condition. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase indicates that something has not been adequately cared for or managed. The provided examples show its use in describing various nouns, such as "equipment", "roads", and "buildings".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

15%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "badly maintained" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that describes the state of something not properly cared for. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate in numerous contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic writing. While alternatives like "poorly maintained" or "in a state of disrepair" exist, "badly maintained" effectively communicates the idea of inadequate upkeep. When using it, specificity enhances clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poorly maintained

Replaces "badly" with "poorly", offering a more neutral tone while retaining the core meaning of inadequate maintenance.

inadequately maintained

Substitutes "badly" with "inadequately", suggesting a deficiency in the level of maintenance provided.

poorly kept

Uses "kept" instead of "maintained", shifting the focus to the act of keeping something in good condition.

in a state of disrepair

Rephrases the concept to emphasize the resulting condition of disrepair due to lack of maintenance.

neglected

Emphasizes the lack of attention and care, implying a deliberate oversight in maintenance.

in poor condition

Shifts the focus to the overall condition as a result of inadequate maintenance, rather than the act of maintenance itself.

shoddily maintained

Replaces "badly" with "shoddily", suggesting a careless and low-quality approach to maintenance.

carelessly maintained

Highlights the lack of care in the maintenance, emphasizing the negligence involved.

substandard maintenance

Uses a noun phrase to describe the level of maintenance as being below acceptable standards.

deficiently maintained

A more formal alternative, emphasizing the inadequacy and insufficiency of the maintenance efforts.

FAQs

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

You can use "badly maintained" to describe something that is not properly cared for or kept in good condition. For example, "The equipment was "badly maintained", leading to frequent breakdowns."

What are some alternatives to saying "badly maintained"?

Alternatives include "poorly maintained", "inadequately maintained", or "in a state of disrepair", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "poorly maintained" or "badly maintained"?

Both "badly maintained" and "poorly maintained" are acceptable. "Poorly maintained" might be perceived as slightly more formal and less harsh than "badly maintained".

What does it mean for something to be "badly maintained"?

When something is "badly maintained", it means it is not being properly cared for or kept in good working order. This can lead to problems such as breakdowns, safety hazards, and reduced lifespan.