clumsy arrangement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clumsy arrangement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a poorly organized or awkwardly structured situation, plan, or design. Example: "The clumsy arrangement of the furniture made the room feel cramped and uncomfortable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Her experience in the strange bed that afternoon hadn't been joyous: there'd been some swooning, obliterating pleasure in the preliminaries, but then too much anxiety in the clumsy arrangements, which she had known (from her biology lessons) would follow.

The New Yorker

Replacing the clumsy early arrangement of dangling wires, cut off when a message had been sent, the Maddox set enabled John Rodgers to lift the range of successful communication up to 12 miles!

University of Chicago

I'm not sure I came up with the exact right answer, but I do know that, however clumsy my arrangement, it tasted fantastic.

Los Angeles Times

To believe in Veritas as an independent company, you have to believe that this clumsy and painful arrangement actually makes sense and that customers actually like it.

Forbes

Blabbermouths Don Kaye gave the opinion that "a handful of songs" on Christ Illusion "are either too generic or the arrangements are too clumsy to work well", and specifically singled out the track: "I'm looking at you, 'Jihad' and 'Skeleton Christ'".

Wikipedia

The ordering system is clumsy.

The Guardian - Opinion

"An American Tragedy" is clumsy and heavy-spirited, and dated in its sexual arrangements, yet it has an extraordinary dignity and power that carry one through the taffied, redundant sentences.

The New Yorker

This would make it difficult for Mr Hu, who lacks a military background, to assert his leadership over army matters, and military analysts fret that any future security crisis could put under stress the delicate leadership arrangement stitched together at last month's congress.China's response to sudden crises is notoriously slow and clumsy.

The Economist

Too clumsy?

University of California, Berkeley

Just clumsy.

Independent

Clumsy, yes!

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts, use "clumsy arrangement" to illustrate a lack of sophistication or efficiency in the planning or execution. For example, you might describe a political compromise as a "clumsy arrangement" if it is overly complicated and unlikely to succeed.

Common error

While "clumsy arrangement" is acceptable in many situations, avoid using it excessively in highly formal or professional documents where a more precise or technical term might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "inefficient system" or "suboptimal configuration" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clumsy arrangement" functions as a noun phrase where "clumsy" modifies "arrangement". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English. It describes something poorly organized or awkwardly structured.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "clumsy arrangement" effectively conveys a sense of awkwardness and inefficiency in the organization of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not extremely frequent, it appears in diverse sources, including news, academic texts, and general media. When writing, consider the context to determine if more formal or technical alternatives like "inefficient configuration" might be preferable. To avoid overuse, vary your vocabulary with phrases like "awkward setup" or "inelegant design". Remember that, although not a hard rule, using a different phrasings can improve quality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awkward setup

Focuses on the uncomfortable or ungainly nature of the configuration.

inelegant design

Highlights the lack of sophistication and grace in the design.

awkward configuration

Focuses on the uncomfortable or ungainly nature of the configuration.

poorly organized system

Emphasizes the lack of effective organization within a system.

unwieldy setup

Highlights the difficulty and lack of practicality in the structure.

bungled organization

Stresses the incompetence and failure in the way something is organized.

badly planned layout

Highlights deficiencies in the planning and execution of the layout.

cumbersome setup

Highlights the difficulty and inconvenience of the setup.

deficient structure

Focuses on the inadequacies and flaws in the overall structure.

ineffective formation

Emphasizes the lack of success and efficiency in the way something is formed.

FAQs

How can I use "clumsy arrangement" in a sentence?

You can use "clumsy arrangement" to describe a setup that is awkward, inefficient, or poorly executed. For instance, "The furniture's "clumsy arrangement" made the room feel smaller."

What are some alternatives to "clumsy arrangement"?

Alternatives include "awkward setup", "inelegant design", or "poorly organized system", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "clumsy arrangement" suitable for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "clumsy arrangement" might be too informal for some formal contexts. Consider using more precise alternatives like "inefficient configuration" or "suboptimal design".

What's the difference between "clumsy arrangement" and "awkward setup"?

"Clumsy arrangement" implies a lack of skill or grace in the organization, while "awkward setup" focuses more on the uncomfortable or ungainly nature of the configuration. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.