ill maintained

USAGE SUMMARY

"ill-maintained" is a correct and usable form of written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that has been poorly or inadequately cared for. For example, "The ill-maintained roads made for an extremely bumpy ride."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

To examine the impact of infectious waste transfer from health facilities to rural communities Fecal samples and sewage obtained from effluent streams adjacent to health facilities, ill maintained waste treatment plants and control samples from patients at nearby health facilities were screened for parasitic ova, cyst and larva.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Dr. Myles Druckman, a vice president for International SOS, says you should try to avoid standing near people who are ill, maintaining a distance of at least three to six-feet.

Forbes

Still, Moss agreed that many of these spaces have been "poorly maintained, under-maintained, ill-used," and "barren".

Huffington Post

Whites played football (soccer), rugby, and cricket and enjoyed sports in world-class facilities, while blacks were restricted to such sports as football, boxing, and, secondarily, athletics (track and field); moreover, their facilities were poorly maintained and ill-equipped.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many biomechanical problems, such as the use of ill-fitting or poorly maintained dentures (Okuma et al. 2004; Fenlon et al. 1999b), can interfere with the biomechanics of dentures under masticatory loads.

Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology

A state prison for mentally ill inmates is so poorly maintained that prisoners sell rats to one another as pets and defecate into plastic bags because toilets are broken, a federal lawsuit filed Thursday says.

The New York Times

Vincent claims that if withdrawal of therapy were not to be performed, then the ICU would be full of hopelessly ill patients maintained indefinitely on life support.

Critical Care

In the living conditions model, the variables of absence of soap, lacking food and/or water, and lacking medical care when ill all maintained similar associations with lower general physical and mental health scores.

BMC Public Health

The secret of society's ills, she maintained, was strictly environmental: "I have never heard of anyone who had beauty around him murdering anybody or making anybody else unhappy".

The New York Times - Magazine

You can never completely prevent your child from becoming ill, but maintaining your child's health throughout the year will help cut down on them missing school days because they're sick.

WikiHow

The stubborn obstructionism of those who had chosen to block his reappointment, Mr Bush maintained, "ill serves our country".Not everyone sees America's fiery ambassador with his remarkable white walrus moustache under a reddish-brown thatch quite that way.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing infrastructure or equipment, use "ill-maintained" to convey a sense of neglect and potential danger. For example: "The accident was caused by an ill-maintained railway track."

Common error

While both phrases are similar, "ill-maintained" can sometimes imply a more systemic or deliberate neglect than "poorly maintained". Ensure the chosen phrase accurately reflects the degree of negligence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ill maintained" functions primarily as an adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, describing its state of disrepair or lack of proper upkeep. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

26%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ill maintained" is a grammatically sound adjective phrase used to describe something that is not properly cared for. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While less common than alternatives like "poorly maintained", it effectively conveys a sense of neglect. The phrase appears in diverse contexts, particularly in news, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. When writing, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, as "ill maintained" can imply a more deliberate or systemic neglect. To avoid confusion, ensure the context clearly reflects the intended degree of negligence. Using alternatives like "poorly maintained" or "badly maintained" will help your message to be accurately delivered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poorly maintained

A common and direct synonym, indicating a lack of adequate maintenance.

badly maintained

Similar to "poorly maintained", emphasizing the substandard quality of the maintenance.

inadequately maintained

Highlights the insufficiency of the maintenance efforts.

negligently maintained

Suggests a careless or irresponsible lack of maintenance.

rundown

A more general term for something in a state of disrepair due to neglect.

dilapidated

Implies a severe state of disrepair and decay.

deteriorated

Focuses on the process of declining in condition due to lack of care.

unkept

Indicates a lack of tidiness and care.

shabbily maintained

Emphasizes the poor quality and appearance resulting from inadequate maintenance.

poorly preserved

Highlights the failure to maintain something in its original state.

FAQs

How to use "ill maintained" in a sentence?

You can use "ill maintained" to describe something that is not properly cared for or kept in good condition. For instance: "The accident occurred due to "ill maintained" equipment".

What can I say instead of "ill maintained"?

Alternatives include "poorly maintained", "badly maintained", or "inadequately maintained", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "ill maintained" or "poorly maintained"?

Both "ill maintained" and "poorly maintained" are grammatically correct, although "poorly maintained" is more commonly used. The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "ill maintained" and "poorly maintained"?

"Ill maintained" can suggest a more significant degree of neglect or systemic issue compared to "poorly maintained", which simply indicates a lack of proper upkeep. The former might imply a deliberate lack of care, while the latter could result from insufficient resources or oversight.