ill-chosen

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "ill-chosen" is correct in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone that is not the best, most appropriate, or most suitable for a given situation. Example sentence: The bride chose an ill-chosen color scheme for her wedding decorations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

During the campaign Mr Dumont was plagued by the ill-chosen remarks of ill-chosen candidates.

The Economist

The words were ill-chosen, he knew that.

The New Yorker

The projects may be ill-chosen, or overlapping.

The Economist

Seemingly everyone agrees, though, that Duarte is an ill-chosen target.

The New York Times

It's easy to overreact to an ill-chosen present, of course.

The Guardian - Opinion

Among liberals, the essay was instantly notorious, thanks mainly to that mischievous and ill-chosen nickname.

The New Yorker

"It seemed to be an ill-chosen fight," Mr. Magyar said.

The New York Times

All thanks to five ill-chosen words to Anton Ferdinand a year ago on the pitch.

The Guardian

George's ill-chosen minister Lord North was "the man who lost America".

The New York Times

Some ill-chosen ambassadors to the region (and delays in their confirmation) rankle.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The venue was ill chosen.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ill-chosen", ensure the context clearly indicates what the negative consequences or implications of the poor choice are. Provide specific details to support your assessment.

Common error

While "ill-chosen" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Consider stronger, more precise synonyms like "inappropriate" or "unsuitable" to convey your meaning with greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ill-chosen" functions primarily as a pre-modifying adjective. It describes a noun by indicating that it was a poor or unsuitable choice. As Ludwig AI confirms, this adjective is correct in written English and used to express disapproval of a selection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ill-chosen" is a correct and frequently used adjective phrase that describes something selected poorly or inappropriately. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this expression. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to express criticism or disapproval of a choice, maintaining a neutral register. While versatile, synonyms might be preferred in highly formal contexts to convey the meaning with greater precision. Remember to provide context to support any claim that something is an "ill-chosen" choice, and avoid overusing it. Related phrases include alternatives such as poor choice, unwise selection, and inappropriate choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poor choice

A more simple and direct alternative to "ill-chosen".

poorly selected

Replaces "ill-chosen" with a more direct synonym focusing on the selection process.

unsuitable selection

Emphasizes the lack of suitability of the choice for its purpose.

inappropriately chosen

Emphasizes the inappropriateness of the choice rather than just its poor quality.

unwisely selected

Highlights the lack of wisdom in the selection.

badly picked

A more informal way of saying something was not a good choice.

injudicious selection

Highlights a lack of judgment in the selection process.

unfortunate choice

Focuses on the negative consequences or luck associated with the choice.

regrettable selection

Suggests that the choice is now a source of regret.

suboptimal pick

A more technical term implying the choice was not the best possible option.

FAQs

How can I use "ill-chosen" in a sentence?

You can use "ill-chosen" to describe something that was a poor or unsuitable choice. For example, "The bride chose an "ill-chosen" color scheme for her wedding decorations".

What are some alternatives to "ill-chosen"?

Alternatives to "ill-chosen" include phrases like "poor choice", "unwise selection", or "inappropriate choice", depending on the specific context.

Is "ill-chosen" formal or informal?

"Ill-chosen" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal writing, consider using synonyms that may sound more sophisticated, such as "injudicious selection".

When is it appropriate to use "ill-chosen"?

It is appropriate to use "ill-chosen" when you want to express that a particular choice was not a good one and had negative consequences or implications. It's suitable when describing decisions, words, actions, or even locations that proved to be unsuitable.