ill-timed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "ill-timed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that happened at an inconvenient time. For example: "The phone call was ill-timed, interrupting my important meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

For years, I accepted ill-timed tech use as a sign of the times.

TechCrunch

They were ill-timed injuries.

The Guardian - Sport

This could hardly be more ill-timed.

The New York Times - Sports

Yes, but perhaps ill-timed.

The New York Times

This is an ill-timed malfunction.

The New Yorker

An embarrassing and ill-timed air ball.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

If so, it was remarkably ill timed.

The New York Times

Some moves have proved ill timed.

The New York Times - Books

But Republicans said the bill was onerous and ill timed.

The New York Times

But the move was also remarkably ill timed.

The New Yorker

The chatter is nervous and ill timed, nothing but banalities.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ill-timed" to precisely convey that an event or action occurred at an unfavorable or unsuitable moment. It's stronger than simply saying it was "bad".

Common error

While "ill-timed" is versatile, avoid overusing it in very casual settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "bad timing" or "wrong moment" to maintain a natural tone in informal conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ill-timed" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something occurred at an unfavorable or inappropriate moment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ill-timed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that describes something occurring at an unfavorable moment. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and suitability for various contexts. It functions to express criticism or regret regarding the timing of an event, often implying negative consequences. While suitable for formal writing, simpler alternatives may be preferred in casual conversations. Across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, "ill-timed" is a valuable tool for expressing precise judgments about timing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

untimely

This alternative emphasizes the unexpected and often unfortunate nature of the timing.

inappropriate moment

Focuses specifically on the unsuitability of the timing in a given situation.

inopportune

Highlights the lack of opportunity or advantage due to the timing.

badly timed

A more straightforward way of expressing poor timing.

poorly timed

Similar to "badly timed", emphasizing the lack of good timing.

unfortunate timing

Highlights the negative consequences associated with the timing.

mistimed

Suggests an error in the timing of an event or action.

out of sync

Implies a lack of coordination or harmony in timing.

premature

Suggests something happening too early or before the appropriate time.

out of season

Suggests that something is not appropriate for the current time or period.

FAQs

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

Use "ill-timed" to describe events or actions that occur at an inconvenient or inappropriate moment. For example, "The announcement was "untimely" and caused confusion".

What are some alternatives to saying "ill-timed"?

You can use alternatives such as "untimely", "inopportune", or "badly timed" depending on the specific context.

Is "ill-timed" a formal or informal expression?

"Ill-timed" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, like news reporting or professional communication. However, simpler alternatives might be preferred in very informal settings.

What does "ill-timed" mean?

"Ill-timed" means occurring at an unfavorable or inappropriate time; untimely. It suggests that the timing of something was unfortunate or caused problems.