badly put

USAGE SUMMARY

'badly put' is a correct and usable way to express oneself in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something you said did not come out quite right or sounded clumsy. For example, "I'm sorry, that was badly put."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

STERLING -- The question is badly put.

The New York Times - Tech

Look at the way in which this matter has been dealt with, it has been so badly put together.

The Guardian

As for the president himself, the prince described him as "badly put together, in a black suit," with "the appearance of a bootmaker".

The New York Times

A corner house is for sale at a scarcely believable 2.7m rupees.India's cities, by and large, are charmless and badly put together.

The Economist

Even though the Chinese firms seemed to have made some progress in areas such as bodywork, overall the cars were badly put together and not pleasant to drive.

The Economist

The biggest obstacle in the way of designers such as Zhang has been the western perception that "made in China" means cheap and badly put together.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The victims obviously react badly, putting our merry pranksters in various UFC-style chokeholds until they surrender their ill-gotten gains.

Vice

When Sonia was two, a baffled doctor turned to her mother and said: "She's just a clumsy, badly put-together baby".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"A police officer warned me that they don't want to arrest you, they want to injure you badly, or put you in a car and abuse you.

The Guardian

I love to write across class, across race, across sex and gender, and I wanted badly to put myself in the shoes of those boys.

The New Yorker

Alas, after having L _ N at 46 Across and wanting so badly to put an I in the middle, I read the clue and found out that it was LAN, or "Chile's main airline".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "badly put" when you want to politely acknowledge that something you or someone else said could have been expressed more clearly or effectively. It's a self-deprecating way to soften criticism or correct a misunderstanding.

Common error

Avoid using "badly put" excessively as a filler phrase. If you find yourself constantly apologizing for your phrasing, focus on improving your clarity and articulation instead. Overusing it can make you sound unsure of yourself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "badly put" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the manner in which something is expressed. It is used to express that something was communicated clumsily or ineffectively, as supported by Ludwig, which confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "badly put" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something has been communicated poorly or awkwardly. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and useful phrase in written English. While its frequency is common across various sources, it is most prevalent in news and media. When aiming for formal communication, alternatives such as "poorly worded" or "inarticulately conveyed" may be more suitable. Remember to avoid overusing "badly put" and strive for clarity in your phrasing to prevent misinterpretations. This guide helps refine your understanding and application of this expression, ensuring effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poorly worded

Focuses specifically on the quality of the wording.

clumsily phrased

Highlights the awkward or ungraceful phrasing.

awkwardly expressed

Emphasizes the lack of smoothness or ease in the expression.

inelegantly stated

Suggests a lack of sophistication or refinement in the statement.

poorly constructed

Indicates flaws in the overall structure or arrangement.

unskillfully presented

Focuses on the lack of skill in the presentation or delivery.

inarticulately conveyed

Highlights the difficulty in understanding the message due to poor articulation.

badly formulated

Emphasizes the poor formation or development of an idea or plan.

unclearly articulated

Highlights the lack of clarity in the articulation of a thought or idea.

poorly articulated

Highlights the inability to express the idea fully and correctly.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "badly put" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "poorly worded", "inarticulately conveyed", or "inelegantly stated" to express that something was not expressed well.

Is "badly put" appropriate for professional communication?

While "badly put" is understandable, it might be perceived as too informal in some professional settings. Opt for alternatives like "poorly formulated" or "unclearly articulated" for greater precision.

When should I use "badly put" instead of "poorly explained"?

"Badly put" generally refers to the manner of expression, while "poorly explained" focuses on the clarity of the explanation. Use "badly put" when the issue is with the phrasing itself, and "poorly explained" when the problem is with the conveyance of information.

What's a more direct way to point out that something is "badly put"?

Instead of saying something is "badly put", you could directly address the specific issue, such as "The phrasing is confusing" or "The argument isn't clearly articulated". This approach is more constructive and avoids ambiguity.