improperly allocated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "improperly allocated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe resources, funds, or responsibilities that have been distributed in a way that is not appropriate or effective. Example: "The budget was improperly allocated, leading to significant overspending in certain departments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

In 1986, the elections commission said one of her campaign committees had improperly allocated funds.

The New York Times

The reports, heavily redacted, conceal the names of most beneficiaries of improperly allocated jobs and bonuses.

The New York Times

About $19 million worth of contracts had been improperly allocated to companies owned by RailCorp employees or their friends and family.

The Guardian

As part of its settlement with the S.E.C., Xerox, based in Stamford, Conn., admitted that it had prematurely booked leasing revenue in the 1990's and had improperly allocated reserves.

The New York Times

Clients' money was improperly allocated because of a failure of software controls intended to match investments to the risk levels authorized by customers, a MetLife spokesman, John Calagna, said.

The New York Times

Still, the court is the first to note that irregularities are not a measure of waste or fraud, but of improperly allocated funds (perhaps caused by error or incompetence).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"Were you improperly allocating trades?" asked Steve Statsinger, the defense lawyer.

The New York Times

That can allow you to allocate trades later" — that is, improperly allocate winning trades to favored customers after the results are known.

The New Yorker

In May 2013, the company found evidence that two former fixed-income traders, who have since left, had been delaying the booking of, and improperly allocating, trades – a practice known as cherrypicking.

The Guardian - Business

According to expert opinions the resources are allocated improperly.

BMC Health Services Research

But it soon attracted the attention of regulators, who later said that Mr. Quattrone improperly pressured his research analysts and allocated hot public offerings to favored clients, a practice known as spinning.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing resource management, clarify the specific criteria or standards against which the allocation is deemed "improperly allocated". This adds precision to your assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "improperly allocated" as a vague criticism. Always specify what the resources were, who or what should have received them, and the consequences of the misallocation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "improperly allocated" functions as a verb phrase complement, modifying a verb to indicate that something has been distributed or assigned in an incorrect or inappropriate manner. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "improperly allocated" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for describing the incorrect or inappropriate distribution of resources, funds, or responsibilities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, it finds frequent application in news reporting, formal business contexts, and scientific discussions. When using this phrase, ensure to specify the criteria defining the improper nature of the allocation and avoid vague criticisms. Alternatives such as "misallocated" or "incorrectly assigned" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misallocated

A more concise term for incorrect allocation.

poorly allocated

Focuses on the low quality of the allocation process.

erroneously allocated

Focuses on the mistake that led to the allocation.

wrongly distributed

Focuses on the act of spreading something improperly.

inappropriately assigned

Highlights the lack of suitability in the allocation.

misappropriated

Focuses on dishonest or illegal use of funds.

badly distributed

Emphasizes the inferior quality of distribution.

incorrectly assigned

Highlights the error in the assignment process.

mismanaged funds

Emphasizes poor handling of finances.

unduly apportioned

Suggests an unfair or excessive distribution.

FAQs

What does "improperly allocated" mean?

The phrase "improperly allocated" describes a situation where resources, funds, or responsibilities have been distributed in an inappropriate, ineffective, or unfair manner. It suggests a deviation from established guidelines or best practices.

How can I use "improperly allocated" in a sentence?

You can use "improperly allocated" to describe various scenarios, such as "The project's budget was "improperly allocated", leading to delays" or "Resources were "improperly allocated", favoring certain departments over others".

What are some alternatives to "improperly allocated"?

Depending on the specific context, you could use alternatives like "misallocated", "incorrectly assigned", or "wrongly distributed".

Is there a difference between "misallocated" and "improperly allocated"?

While both terms convey the idea of incorrect allocation, "improperly allocated" might suggest a broader range of issues, including ethical considerations or violations of policy, whereas "misallocated" is often used in a purely functional or logistical sense.