improper time

USAGE SUMMARY

"improper time" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to refer to a period in which something should not or is not allowed to happen. For example, "The bank is closed at this improper time, so I can't deposit this check until tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The issues encountered while establishing serial communication mostly involved improper time constraints.

Cornell University

In their letter, the critics said that members of Congress made almost four times the median income of typical male workers and that this was "an especially improper time for yet another Congressional pay grab".

The New York Times

Therefore, the exposure to an exogenous chemical acting as the natural hormone E2, but at an inappropriate concentration and during an improper time window, may enhance the risk of developing insulin resistance.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Notably, the idea of proper and improper times for applause was dispensed with.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Huang said the project was still experimental, but he hoped it would provide journalists with modified phones that would come in a special case with a separate display that would provide an alert when the phone was active and transmitting data at improper times.

The New York Times - Tech

There are many improper times to take a selfie funerals, in the middle of sex, when I'm talking to you but few are worse/dumber than when you're driving a car full of drugs.

Vice

This article originally appeared on VICE CA. There are many improper times to take a selfie funerals, in the middle of sex, when I'm talking to you but few are worse/dumber than when you're driving a car full of drugs.

Vice

The Abbot's bad example had affected the canon's behaviour, who ate and drank at improper times, failed to attend services (an average of 11 of the 25 canons attended) and roamed freely outside the abbey: visiting the town's alehouses and frequently going hunting.

Wikipedia

Improper fertilizing can cause the plant to bloom at the wrong time, so be sure to fertilize only if required.

WikiHow

However, using imaging protocol 1 the identification of hepatic tumors was difficult because of reduced contrast material as a result of improper delay time for ultrafast imaging.

BioMed Research International

At the same time improper selection of patients for ICU, often limits bed availability in ICUs.

Egyptian Journal of Chest Diseases and Tuberculosis

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "improper time", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the time unsuitable or inappropriate. Providing specific reasons enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "improper time" without specifying why the timing is inappropriate. Without context, the phrase can be vague and leave the reader unclear about the issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "improper time" functions as a descriptive element, where 'improper' modifies 'time'. It highlights a period considered unsuitable or inappropriate for a particular action or event. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "improper time" correctly denotes an unsuitable or inappropriate moment. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound, albeit infrequent. Usage spans across news, academic, and scientific domains. To ensure clarity, provide specific context when using this phrase. Consider alternatives such as ""inopportune moment"" or ""inappropriate timing"" depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poor timing

Indicates the quality of when something happens.

inappropriate timing

Emphasizes that the sequence of events is not suitable.

ill-timed moment

Suggests poor judgment or bad luck regarding the timing.

inopportune moment

Focuses on the lack of suitability or convenience of the time.

inconvenient hour

Highlights the trouble or difficulty caused by the timing.

unsuitable occasion

Highlights the inappropriateness of the event or situation in relation to the timing.

unpropitious time

Suggests that the time is unfavorable or unlucky.

untimely hour

Suggests that the time is premature or badly chosen.

unseasonable hour

Focuses on actions that are not aligned to the proper season or circumstances.

awkward moment

Focuses the social awkwardness caused by something done.

FAQs

How can I use "improper time" in a sentence?

You can use "improper time" to describe moments when something is unsuitable or should not occur, such as, "It's an "inappropriate timing" for such discussions" or "The event occurred at an "inopportune moment"".

What is a phrase similar to "improper time"?

Alternatives to "improper time" include phrases like "unsuitable occasion", ""inappropriate timing"", or "ill-timed moment", each carrying slight nuances depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "improper time"?

Use "improper time" when you need to emphasize that the timing of an event or action is unsuitable, inconvenient, or otherwise wrong. This is different than something being generally wrong, regardless of when it happens.

What's the difference between "improper time" and "wrong time"?

"Improper time" often implies that the timing is not just wrong, but also inappropriate or unsuitable for a specific reason. "Wrong time" is a more general term, while "improper time" might suggest a violation of norms or expectations.