badly packed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "badly packed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe items that are not packed properly, leading to potential damage or disorganization. Example: "The shipment arrived with several items broken because they were badly packed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

In the model for sample D (Fig. 5a,b), 80% of the total free volume in the simulation cell arises from voids between the badly packed cages, compared with 20% calculated for the internal cage volume itself.

Nature

Cheerfully wave goodbye to my badly packed red suitcase with the ragged ID tags as it is placed on the conveyor belt and cross my fingers that I see it intact at the other end of the journey.

The New York Times

We arrive a day late, hundreds of pounds poorer on not-so-cheap, re-booked flights, badly packed, with a mobile that doesn't work, and, for me, an overdue writing deadline to finish in a Gothenburg hotel with no Wi-Fi.

The Guardian - Travel

But it meant you were back only a few hours ago, travelling through the night like badly packed vegetables, drifting through arrivals like a herd of sunburned zombies, those holiday outfits looking sadder by the second.

BBC

I know I said earlier that in a dream world a night out involves making the kind of friends you have one memorable blast with before retaining only the faintest memory of them, like a wisp of smoke from a badly packed rollie atomozing in the smoking area air.

Vice

I know I said earlier that in a dream world a night out involves making the kind of friends you have one memorable blast with before retaining only the faintest memory of them – like a wisp of smoke from a badly packed rollie atomosing in the smoking area air – and then I remembered the kind of people you meet in clubs.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"It's not how badly he's dressed; it's how badly he packs," an aide said.

The New York Times

She, meanwhile, was struggling on the slopes, and a bad concussion combined with a back injury shook her confidence so badly that she packed up and returned home to Northern Ireland.

The Guardian - Sport

Members of the council had already raised concerns over some of the new building work around Eastcote and South Ruislip and the new development near Northwood station, which they described as "badly arranged and packed".

Wikipedia

I'm infuriated that in 2014, with the alteration of a few nouns and names, instead of writing a new review of "Stalker," I could have merely re-run my 2005 review of Fox's "Killer Instinct," a similarly putrid, badly written crapfest packed with violence against women.

Huffington Post

The aging terminal was packed and badly lit, with peeling, mismatched carpeting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical objects for shipping or transport, use "badly packed" to convey a lack of proper protection and organization. This implies a higher risk of damage during transit.

Common error

Avoid using "badly packed" to describe abstract concepts or situations that lack a direct physical packing process. For example, instead of saying "the argument was badly packed", consider "the argument was poorly constructed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "badly packed" functions as an adjectival phrase describing the state of something that has been packed. It combines an adverb ("badly") with a past participle ("packed") to indicate the quality of the packing. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "badly packed" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for describing items that are not properly packed. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase effectively communicates a lack of quality in the packing process, potentially leading to damage or disorganization. While not extremely common, it appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media. For alternative expressions, consider "poorly packed" or "inadequately packed", depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Avoid using "badly packed" in abstract contexts where physical packing isn't involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poorly packed

Focuses on the quality of the packing, implying a lack of care or skill.

inadequately packed

Highlights the insufficiency of the packing to protect the contents.

improperly packed

Emphasizes that the packing was done incorrectly or against established guidelines.

carelessly packed

Indicates a lack of attention or concern in the packing process.

shoddily packed

Suggests a low-quality or substandard packing job.

unskillfully packed

Highlights the packer's lack of competence in packing items.

unsafely packed

Emphasizes the lack of safety measures taken while packing.

poorly arranged

Focuses on the arrangement within the packing, rather than the packing itself.

loosely packed

Highlights the lack of tightness and security in the packing.

clumsily packed

Suggests a lack of finesse or grace in the way the items were packed.

FAQs

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

You can use "badly packed" to describe items or luggage that are not properly packed, such as "The suitcase was so "badly packed" that it burst open at the airport".

What is an alternative to "badly packed"?

Alternatives to "badly packed" include "poorly packed", "inadequately packed", or "improperly packed". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "badly packed" grammatically correct?

Yes, "badly packed" is grammatically correct. "Badly" is an adverb modifying the past participle "packed", forming a descriptive phrase.

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

While both "badly packed" and "poorly packed" are similar, "badly" can sometimes imply a more severe degree of inadequacy or damage than "poorly".