badly worded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "badly worded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a statement or text that is poorly phrased or unclear in its expression. Example: "The instructions were so badly worded that no one understood what to do."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

He later wrote that his tweet was "badly worded".

Independent

He said two questions were "badly worded" and promised to fight to get his score changed.

The New York Times

Letwin apologised for any offence caused and admitted that parts of the memo were "badly worded and wrong".

The Guardian

Cardinal Pell denied any coverup, saying his comments to Mr. Jones were "badly worded and a mistake".

The New York Times

"It's so broad, so badly worded, and so ignorant of how the Internet works that it can't be allowed to pass".

The New York Times

After the documents were released on Tuesday Mr Letwin apologised "unreservedly" and admitted parts of the private memo were "badly worded and wrong".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

And here's a rare point of agreement: about two-thirds of both groups agree that the government has "gone too far in regulating business and interfering with the free enterprise system" (though the question is badly worded-few would agree that "interfering" is a good thing to do; ask about regulating the banks and see what you get).

Huffington Post

But he worded it badly, so he became an object of derision.

The Guardian - Opinion

But in 21st-century France, where notions of belonging and identity are so visibly alive with antagonisms, a football manager can easily ignite a media firestorm with a few badly chosen words.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The listeners in my Cuban fantasy are not passive... Their literary taste is as sharp as a razor, they react to every badly used word, to every false note".

The Guardian - Books

People on Wall Street now argue that his distance in part explains why the Dow fell nearly 700 points after the president's speech last week, and why many responded so badly to words meant to soothe them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing writing as "badly worded", provide specific examples of what makes it unclear or confusing. Offer concrete suggestions for improvement.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something is "badly worded" without explaining why. This provides no constructive feedback. Instead, pinpoint specific sentences or phrases and explain how they could be improved for clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "badly worded" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the quality of something, indicating that it is poorly expressed or formulated. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

16%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "badly worded" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that is poorly expressed, confusing, or unclear. Ludwig AI confirms that it can be used to critique or evaluate writing, across diverse media. Alternative phrases like "poorly phrased" or "unclearly stated" can be used for subtle differences in emphasis. When using "badly worded", it's crucial to provide specific feedback and suggestions for improvement to avoid being perceived as simply dismissive. The phrase appears frequently in news and media sources, with less frequent use in encyclopedias and scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poorly phrased

Focuses on the quality of the phrasing, suggesting a lack of skill in expressing something.

ineffectively expressed

Highlights the lack of impact or clarity in the expression.

unskillfully articulated

Emphasizes the lack of skill in verbally expressing something.

clumsily expressed

Suggests an awkward or ungraceful manner of expression.

awkwardly phrased

Similar to clumsily expressed, but focusing specifically on the phrasing.

unclearly stated

Highlights the lack of clarity in the statement.

ambiguously presented

Indicates that the presentation is open to multiple interpretations.

vaguely articulated

Suggests a lack of precision or detail in the expression.

inarticulately expressed

Focuses on the lack of eloquence or fluency in the expression.

infelicitously phrased

Indicates that the phrasing is inappropriate or unsuitable for the context.

FAQs

How can I tell if something is "badly worded"?

A statement might be considered "badly worded" if it's confusing, ambiguous, grammatically incorrect, or doesn't effectively convey its intended meaning. Look for unclear phrasing, convoluted sentence structure, and inappropriate word choices.

What are some synonyms for "badly worded"?

Alternatives include "poorly phrased", "ineffectively expressed", "unclearly stated", or "awkwardly phrased". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it impolite to say something is "badly worded"?

It can be, especially if said without offering constructive criticism. Try framing your feedback more positively, such as, "The meaning isn't entirely clear; perhaps rephrasing it this way would help." Provide specific suggestions for improvement.

How can I avoid writing something that is "badly worded"?

Plan your writing, use clear and concise language, avoid jargon, review your work carefully, and ask someone else to proofread it. Pay attention to sentence structure, grammar, and word choice.