improperly formatted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "improperly formatted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that does not adhere to the expected format or structure, often in contexts like documents, code, or data entries. Example: "The report was returned because it was improperly formatted, making it difficult to read."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

In May, about 18,000 absentee ballots had to be hand counted, delaying results for days, because they were improperly formatted for optical scan voting machines.

Forbes

Storage of data in specific tables also allows us to implement data constraints to prevent loading of improperly formatted data, either by individuals in the community or by web vandalism.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

Many studio executives and screenplay writers will throw your script out after the first sentence if it is improperly formatted.

WikiHow

If the article is improperly formatted, reformat it following these guidelines, or place a {{ format }} tag on the article leaving it for someone else to edit.

WikiHow

Improperly formatted databases, or other private sequence databases, can be easily formatted for use with SRST2 using the scripts supplied with the program.

Genome Medicine

The instructor must run the tournament in advance herself in order to verify that there are no improperly formatted strategies; to discern the interesting "global" trends, such as the relative performance of nasty and nice strategies; and to pick examples of how strategies performed against each other to discuss in class.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

However, if done improperly, the formatting will reflect badly on you and your reader may toss it aside.

WikiHow

All formatted the same.

The Guardian - Tech

Begin formatting.

WikiHow

Pipes that are improperly installed can bang.

The New York Times

The cage had also been improperly secured.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical documents or data, use "improperly formatted" to clearly indicate that the structure deviates from the expected standard. This avoids ambiguity and precisely identifies the issue.

Common error

Avoid using "improperly formatted" when "unformatted" is more appropriate. "Unformatted" suggests the absence of any formatting, while "improperly formatted" indicates that formatting exists but is done incorrectly. Choose the term that accurately reflects the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "improperly formatted" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes something that has been formatted, but in a way that does not meet the required or expected standards. As Ludwig AI describes, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

25%

Science

45%

News & Media

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "improperly formatted" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes something whose format is not according to requirements. As stated by Ludwig AI, it's useful for specifying that a certain standard isn't achieved. While "improperly formatted" can be used in place of alternatives such as "incorrectly formatted", "badly formatted", or "poorly formatted", it is important to make sure the word you choose accurately captures the context. The phrase is most commonly found in scientific contexts, followed by news media and wikis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incorrectly formatted

Focuses on the factual error in formatting.

misformatted

Implies an error in the formatting process.

badly formatted

Emphasizes the poor quality of the formatting.

poorly formatted

Similar to 'badly formatted', highlighting the inadequacy of the formatting.

erroneously formatted

Highlights that the formatting was done in error.

inconsistently formatted

Indicates a lack of uniformity in the formatting.

nonstandard formatting

Indicates the use of a formatting style that is not commonly accepted.

unformatted

Suggests the absence of formatting altogether.

unconventionally formatted

Highlights the formatting style being different than typical.

deviantly formatted

Focuses on deviation from an accepted format.

FAQs

What does "improperly formatted" mean?

The phrase "improperly formatted" describes something that does not adhere to the expected or required format. This can apply to documents, data, code, or any content that has a specific structure it should follow.

What can I say instead of "improperly formatted"?

You can use alternatives like "incorrectly formatted", "badly formatted", or "poorly formatted" depending on the specific context.

Is "improperly formatted" grammatically correct?

Yes, "improperly formatted" is grammatically correct. It's a common and acceptable way to describe something that has formatting errors.

How do I correct an "improperly formatted" document?

To correct an "improperly formatted" document, first identify the expected format or guidelines. Then, adjust the document's structure, layout, and styling to align with those specifications. Tools like word processors or formatters can help.