badly thought through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "badly thought through" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to criticize something that has not been thought out properly or carefully. For example: "The plan for the company's expansion was badly thought through and failed to take into account potential obstacles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It can be badly thought through, as when President Sarkozy persuaded Colombia to free a top guerrilla, in the hope that it might lead to the liberation of a Franco-Colombian and other hostages held there; so far, it has not.

The Economist

It would be comparable to the decision the Soviet Politburo made to invade Afghanistan — badly thought through, not confirmed by the necessary analytical work".

The New York Times

Smaller scale planning committee decisions, such as allowing alterations to listed houses in the city, were also labelled as "lazy" and "badly thought through".

The Guardian

Liam Bryne, the shadow welfare and pensions secretary, said there was evidence the benefits cap had been "so badly thought through it could actually end up costing more by pushing up the costs of homelessness … it's time to go back to the drawing board".

The Guardian

So the risks of badly thought through rules are amply clear.

TechCrunch

Brown, writing in the Daily Record on Saturday, said Salmond's "badly thought through proposals will end up in instability, division and self-imposed colonialism".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Solicitor advocate Cameron Tait said: "The profession struggles to understand why the government is intent on driving through badly thought out changes in the face of concerns not just from solicitors but academics and charities.

BBC

Avoid badly thought out line breaks.

WikiHow

In Mr Druon's view, "he who writes badly, thinks badly, and so governs badly".Perhaps.Perhaps

The Economist

"He who writes badly, thinks badly," he said.

The Guardian - Books

Osborne said: "The help to buy Isa will support over a million first-time buyers achieve their dream of earning their own home – and with one badly thought-through policy, Ed Miliband would put all that at risk.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing a plan or proposal, use "badly thought through" to clearly convey that insufficient consideration was given to potential problems and consequences.

Common error

While "badly thought through" is acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "inadequately considered" or "lacking thorough analysis" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "badly thought through" functions as an adjective phrase used to describe a noun (typically a plan, idea, or proposal) that has not been adequately considered or planned. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "badly thought through" is a grammatically sound and usable expression used to criticize the lack of proper planning or consideration behind an idea or plan. Ludwig AI affirms the correctness of this phrase. While commonly found in news and media, it's essential to consider the context and audience when using it; in more formal settings, alternatives such as "inadequately considered" or "poorly planned" might be more appropriate. When employing "badly thought through", ensure that the criticism is constructive and specific, focusing on the shortcomings in the planning process. Common mistakes associated with this expression may have to do with overusing the phrase in very formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poorly planned

Focuses on the inadequacy of the planning process itself, rather than the thought behind it.

inadequately considered

Highlights the insufficient attention or deliberation given to a particular matter.

hastily devised

Emphasizes the speed and lack of care in the creation of something, suggesting a rushed and potentially flawed outcome.

ill-conceived

Stresses the flawed nature of the initial concept or idea.

poorly conceived

Similar to ill-conceived, but with a slightly softer tone, suggesting a lack of imagination or insight.

unwisely formulated

Highlights the lack of wisdom or good judgment in the way something was created or structured.

shortsighted

Emphasizes a lack of foresight and consideration for long-term consequences.

without foresight

Directly points out the absence of planning for future events or consequences.

not well-reasoned

Focuses on the lack of logical and coherent thinking behind a decision or plan.

lacking due diligence

Indicates a failure to perform the necessary research and investigation before making a decision.

FAQs

How can I use "badly thought through" in a sentence?

You can use "badly thought through" to describe plans, ideas, or decisions that lack proper consideration. For instance, "The company's expansion strategy was "badly thought through", leading to significant losses."

What are some alternatives to "badly thought through"?

Alternatives include "poorly planned", "inadequately considered", or "ill-conceived depending" on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "badly thought through" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "badly thought through" might be perceived as somewhat informal in certain contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "inadequately analyzed" or "lacking thorough assessment" for a more professional tone.

What does it mean when someone describes a plan as "badly thought through"?

It means the plan was not carefully considered, and likely suffers from oversights or flaws due to a lack of proper planning and analysis. The phrase implies criticism of the planning process.