ill constructed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ill constructed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is poorly built or poorly put together, often referring to writing or arguments. Example: "The essay was ill constructed, making it difficult to follow the author's main points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Fragmented and ill constructed, this self-congratulatory valentine to therapists (Ms. Fragola is a professional mental health worker) suffers from a lack of focus and poorly drawn characterizations.

The New York Times

As it stands NAFTA, and prospectively an ill constructed TPP, has or will screw American workers, all of them, no matter what their political inclination.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The European Parliament commissioned its own assessment by outside experts that concluded that the draft law was "poorly constructed, ill-focused and premature".

The New York Times

A report commissioned by the European Parliament on the draft concluded that it was "poorly constructed, ill-focused and premature".The Swedish presidency recently returned with a "compromise proposal" designed to deal with the criticisms.

The Economist

The rules are the French dressing on what was already a dog's breakfast of a directive, which a report commissioned by the European Parliament described as "poorly constructed, ill-focused and premature".

The Economist

The European parliament, which has to agree on any potential changes along with the council of ministers – made up of the member states – today issued a report by its economic and monetary affairs committee, saying: "We consider this directive in its current form poorly constructed, ill-focused and premature".

The Guardian - Business

I'm grateful the governor and lawmakers listened to our church and others and took corrective measures to fix an ill-considered, poorly constructed law that sent a bad message about our state.

Huffington Post

But the big-drinks ban was ill conceived and poorly constructed from the start.

The New York Times

Britain's austerity experiment in particular has been judged by economists to have been ill-timed and poorly constructed at best.

The New York Times

The ill sample was constructed from two measures of health status – activity of daily living impairments and severity of illness – derived from the second round of panel data from the Indonesian Family Life Survey.

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation

Smith (2010a) reported that the evolution acceptance is an ill-defined construct in science education.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ill constructed", ensure the context clearly indicates what is poorly built or designed. This phrase works best when referring to tangible objects or systems with a clear structure.

Common error

Avoid using "ill constructed" for abstract concepts like ideas or emotions. Opt for alternatives like "poorly conceived" or "badly formulated" for such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ill constructed" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun (whether a physical object or an abstract concept) is characterized by poor construction or design. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ill constructed" is a valid and usable phrase in English, albeit not a very common one. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and functions as an adjective phrase to describe something poorly built or designed. While alternatives like "poorly built" or "badly designed" may be more frequently used, "ill constructed" provides a specific emphasis on the flawed nature of the construction process itself. Ensure that the context is clear and the phrase isn't misapplied to abstract concepts for optimal impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poorly built

Focuses on the physical aspect of construction, implying flaws in the building process.

badly designed

Highlights flaws in the design phase, suggesting aesthetic or functional shortcomings.

poorly structured

Emphasizes a lack of organization or logical flow in an abstract entity like a document or plan.

shoddily made

Suggests a lack of care and quality in the manufacturing or building process.

flawed construction

Directly points to errors or defects in the construction itself.

deficient in construction

Highlights the inadequacy or incompleteness of the construction.

inadequately constructed

Similar to 'deficient', but emphasizes the insufficiency of the construction process.

imperfectly built

Implies that the construction is not up to standard or contains errors.

substandard construction

Indicates that the construction does not meet the required quality or standards.

poorly assembled

Suggests issues with how the parts of something are put together.

FAQs

What does "ill constructed" mean?

The phrase "ill constructed" means something is poorly built, designed, or put together. It often implies flaws in the creation or assembly process.

What are some synonyms for "ill constructed"?

Alternatives to "ill constructed" include "poorly built", "badly designed", or "poorly structured", depending on the specific context.

How can I use "ill constructed" in a sentence?

You might say, "The bridge was ill constructed, posing a safety risk" or "The argument was ill constructed, making it unconvincing."

Is "ill constructed" the same as "poorly constructed"?

While very similar, "ill constructed" can sometimes carry a slightly stronger connotation of negligence or incompetence compared to "poorly constructed".