in poor taste

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'in poor taste' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is inappropriate or distasteful. For example, "Joking about the death of a celebrity is in poor taste."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's in poor taste".

The New Yorker

That was in poor taste.

The Economist

In poor taste?

The New York Times

"It's just in poor taste".

The New Yorker

Regardless of politics, it's in poor taste.

Independent

Anything more would be in poor taste.

The Guardian - Music

She also said Mr. Lederman's protest was in poor taste.

The New York Times

"On reflection I accept is was in poor taste.

The Guardian

To draw attention to it seems in poor taste.

The Economist

"Completely pointless and in poor taste," one commenter declared.

The New York Times

Anonymous I wouldn't say "in poor taste," Papa.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in poor taste" when you want to express disapproval of an action, statement, or behavior without being overly aggressive or judgmental. It's a polite way to criticize something you find inappropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "in poor taste" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or technical language might be more appropriate. Consider using terms like "inappropriate", "unethical", or "unprofessional" depending on the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in poor taste" functions as a qualifier or descriptor, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that an action, statement, or behavior is inappropriate or distasteful. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in poor taste" is a versatile descriptor used to express disapproval of actions or statements considered inappropriate. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently appears in news and media, indicating its neutrality in register. While alternatives like "tasteless" or "inappropriate" exist, "in poor taste" offers a milder critique. When writing, remember to consider the formality of your context; in highly formal settings, more precise terms might be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distasteful

This is a more formal term that emphasizes the unpleasant or disagreeable nature of something.

tasteless

This alternative is more direct and implies a lack of aesthetic or social judgment.

uncalled for

This implies the action or comment was unnecessary and unwelcome.

inappropriate

This term broadens the scope to include any action or comment that doesn't fit the situation or context.

insensitive

This suggests a lack of awareness or consideration for the feelings of others.

offensive

This suggests the action or comment is likely to cause someone to feel hurt, angry, or upset.

vulgar

This describes something that is crude, unrefined, and often offensive.

unseemly

This suggests something is not appropriate and violates standards of decorum or politeness.

indecorous

A formal way to describe something that violates standards of good taste or politeness.

crass

Implies a lack of sensitivity, refinement, or intelligence.

FAQs

How can I use "in poor taste" in a sentence?

You can use "in poor taste" to describe actions or comments that are considered inappropriate or distasteful. For example, "Making jokes about someone's misfortune is "in poor taste"".

What's a more formal alternative to "in poor taste"?

Alternatives such as "inappropriate", "distasteful", or "unseemly" can be used in more formal contexts.

Is it ever appropriate to say something is "in poor taste"?

Yes, it's appropriate when you want to express disapproval without being overly harsh. It's a milder way to criticize something that you find offensive or inappropriate, but consider your audience and the formality of the setting.

What is the difference between "in poor taste" and "offensive"?

"In poor taste" suggests something is inappropriate and displays bad judgment, while "offensive" indicates that something is likely to cause hurt feelings or anger. "Offensive" is generally stronger and more direct.