in an inappropriate position

USAGE SUMMARY

"in an inappropriate position" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation or object when it is in a place or position that is not considered suitable. For example: "When I returned to my car, I found it in an inappropriate position with two wheels in the ditch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Not necessarily that the officers acted inappropriately but officers being placed in an inappropriate position, trying to deal with the consequences of years of neglect in one minute.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I'm evangelising in an inappropriate place.

The Guardian

"It was in an inappropriate place for it.

The New York Times

The use of an inappropriate approach in an inappropriate place may lead to under or overestimation of risk and subsequently to a bad decision.

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

Supporters of the Bronx Household of Faith argue that the Department of Education is now in the inappropriate position of determining the difference between a worship service and an activity that includes prayer — something that might be different for every religion and congregation.

The New York Times

Marvin Goodfriend, a professor of economics at Carnegie Mellon University, said that such lending placed the Fed in the inappropriate position of deciding the fate of individual banks, choices that he said should be made by elected officials.

The New York Times

The long deployment time has various reasons: in state-of-the-art plant installations, designated infrastructure is still necessary for the localization; the mapping process requires highly skilled personnel; in many cases unavailable or inappropriate position information of drop points for goods must be corrected on site.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Before performing any manipulations with mtAncestor-1 and mtAncestor-2, we needed to demonstrate that their mitochondrial counterparts do not contain termination codons in inappropriate positions, as well as insertions and deletions which change the open reading frames of the mitochondrial genes.

Plosone

The interpretation of esophageal balloon measurements may be compounded by factors such as inappropriate position of the balloon in a way that will cause false readings.

BioMed Research International

Hoover came in an inappropriate frock of coal crepe.

The New Yorker

This covers sexualised imagery in an inappropriate context.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in an inappropriate position", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the position unsuitable. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "in an inappropriate position" without providing context. Simply stating something is "in an inappropriate position" can leave the audience wondering why. Clarify the reasons for the inappropriateness to enhance understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in an inappropriate position" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by describing its location or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that something is situated in a way that is unsuitable or undesirable. The Ludwig examples showcase how this phrase adds descriptive detail to various scenarios, clarifying the nature of the inappropriateness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in an inappropriate position" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe something being located or arranged in an unsuitable manner. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is functional across a variety of contexts, including news, science, and general writing. It is important to provide clear context when using this phrase to avoid ambiguity, detailing why the position is considered inappropriate. Related phrases include "badly located", "out of place", and "in an unsuitable spot", offering nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. Overall, this phrase serves as a valuable tool for communicating a sense of unsuitability and can be effectively used in various professional and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wrongly positioned

Emphasizes the incorrect placement of something.

out of place

Suggests something is not where it should be or does not belong.

in a misplaced location

Focuses on the physical aspect of being incorrectly located.

in an unsuitable spot

Emphasizes the lack of suitability of the place.

badly located

Highlights the poor choice or outcome of the location.

in an awkward spot

Highlights the discomfort or difficulty caused by the location.

in an unfortunate place

Highlights the negative consequences or bad luck of the location.

in an improper setting

Stresses the inappropriateness of the surrounding environment.

in a precarious position

Highlights the instability and potential danger of the situation.

in a compromising situation

Focuses on the potential for harm or embarrassment.

FAQs

What does "in an inappropriate position" mean?

It describes something or someone located in a place or situation that is unsuitable, unsuitable, or improper, often leading to negative consequences or discomfort.

How can I use "in an inappropriate position" in a sentence?

You might say, "The microphone was "badly located", making it difficult for the speaker to be heard" or "The company's reputation was put "in a compromising situation" due to the CEO's actions."

What are some alternatives to "in an inappropriate position"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "misplaced", "out of place", "in an unsuitable spot", or "in an awkward spot".

When is it correct to use "in an inappropriate position" rather than "in an inappropriate place"?

"In an inappropriate position" is better suited when describing the specific arrangement or posture of something, whereas "in an inappropriate place" refers more broadly to the general location or setting. For example, "The painting was hung in an inappropriate place," versus "The patient was lying in an inappropriate position".