for the worst time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for the worst time" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a negative experience or period, but it lacks clarity and proper context. Example: "This has been for the worst time of my life, filled with challenges and setbacks."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is inevitable that they will wait for the worst time to appropriately use the inappropriate words they heard come flying out of your mouth.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

For Chris Perry, it was the worst time for a bogey.

The New York Times - Sports

They found, John Paul added, "Johnny needs structure all the time, because down time for Johnny is the worst time".

The New York Times - Sports

When the military leaves, he said, "it's going to be the worst time for those people who worked for the Americans".

The New York Times

This is the worst time for us".

The New York Times

Halftime, though, has been the worst time for the Jets.

The New York Times - Sports

The afternoon is the worst time for creativity.

The Guardian

"The worst time for Alistair was probably last year," confides Jonny.

The Guardian - Sport

It's the worst time for it to happen.

The New York Times - Sports

"This is not necessarily the worst time for an outage," he said.

The New York Times

"Some say it is the worst time for human rights in China since the Tiananmen massacre".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more precise and grammatically correct alternatives like "at the worst possible time" or "during the most difficult period" to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "for" to indicate a specific point in time when "at" or "during" would be more appropriate. "For" typically describes a duration, not a specific moment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for the worst time" functions as a prepositional phrase intended to specify when something occurs, but it is grammatically dubious. Ludwig AI identifies it as not conveying a clear meaning in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for the worst time" is considered grammatically incorrect, as noted by Ludwig AI. It aims to describe an event happening during an unfavorable period, but the preposition usage is inappropriate. It occurs rarely, mainly in news and media contexts. Better alternatives include "at the worst possible time" or "during the most difficult period". Therefore, it's recommended to avoid "for the worst time" in favor of grammatically sound alternatives for clearer and more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the least opportune time

Uses 'least opportune' to convey a similar meaning of an unfavorable or unsuitable time.

at the most inopportune juncture

Replaces 'worst time' with a more formal and precise term.

at the unpropitious moment

Replaces 'worst time' with a more formal and descriptive term for an unfavorable moment.

in the most unfortunate period

Focuses on the 'period' being unfortunate rather than specifically the 'time'.

during the most difficult phase

Emphasizes the 'phase' being difficult, altering the original focus on 'time'.

when circumstances were least favorable

Shifts the focus to the favorability of circumstances instead of the timing itself.

when things were at their lowest ebb

Conveys that events occurred during a low point or period of decline.

amid the most adverse conditions

Highlights adverse conditions present at a specific time.

in the teeth of adversity

Uses metaphorical language to emphasize facing difficult conditions.

in the depth of hardship

Replaces time with hardship to focus on difficulties experienced.

FAQs

How can I properly use the idea of "for the worst time" in a sentence?

Instead of "for the worst time", try using phrases like "at the worst possible time", which is grammatically correct and clearly understood. For example, "The car broke down "at the worst possible time"".

What's a better way to phrase "for the worst time"?

Better alternatives include "during the most difficult period", "at the most inopportune moment", or "in the most unfortunate circumstances". The best choice depends on the specific context you want to convey.

Which is correct, "for the worst time" or "at the worst time"?

"At the worst time" is generally more correct. "For" is typically used to describe a duration, whereas "at" is used for a specific point in time. Therefore, use "at the worst time".

What is the difference between "for the worst time" and "during the worst time"?

"During the worst time" is more grammatically sound as "during" indicates an action or event occurring within a specific period. "For the worst time" is less common and often considered incorrect, so it's preferable to use "during the worst time" instead.