in rough condition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in rough condition" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that has suffered damage or is in disrepair, such as an old vehicle or an abandoned building. For example, "The old tractor has been sitting outside for years and is now in rough condition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"In terms of weight, in terms of height, in terms of health, the population is really in rough condition".

Huffington Post

In the months from July to August the beaches are in rough condition, so it is advisable not to swim during this time.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I did a mental pat on the back: sleeping in rough conditions like Shackleton and his men – check.

Independent

The skipper, Chris Dickson of New Zealand, said he heard a sharp crack when the keel was torn from the hull in rough conditions.

The New York Times - Sports

Disasters have become more frequent in rough conditions caused by the worsening winter weather and at least 37 drowned, including several toddlers and children, off the coastline north of Doğanbey on Saturday.

Independent

This could favour the Dark Blues in calm water and the Light Blues, who are not significantly lighter, in rough conditions over the championship course of four-and-a-quarter miles.

Independent

Tested extensively in tanks, the duck design was intended to be moored in deep water on "slack" lines that would allow it to move with the sea; however, it is now thought to be too fragile to survive in rough conditions.

MIT Technology Review

We have tracked the ruthless people traffickers, voyaged with the rescue boats, watched helplessly the consequences of putting to sea in rough conditions: the capsizes and sinkings and the drownings, whose victims included three-year-old Alan Kurdi, whose small body was washed on to a Turkish beach after his parents' dinghy capsized in a failed attempt to reach Greece.

The Guardian

There was some criticism that those with a passion for extreme sports should be out risking their lives in the storm at all – as the RNLI tweeted that: "Both Jersey lifeboats [were] called on their first shout of the year in rough conditions to a windsurfer in trouble".

Independent

Individual disasters in the Aegean Sea have previously had a lower death toll than those in the central Mediterranean because of the small inflatable boats used by smugglers – but there are fears numbers could rise if larger boats continue to be used in rough conditions and by inexperienced skippers navigating rocky shoals.

Independent

And that sometimes takes us into sailing in rough conditions and blizzards at night, navigating between breaking waves and rocks.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something as "in rough condition", be specific about the types of damage or issues present to provide a clearer picture to your audience.

Common error

Avoid simply stating something is "in rough condition" without providing details. Instead, specify what makes it so, such as "The car is in rough condition: the paint is peeling, and the engine sputters."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in rough condition" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate its state of disrepair or poor quality. Ludwig AI's analysis supports its use to describe damaged or poorly maintained items or situations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in rough condition" is a phrase used to describe something that is damaged, poorly maintained, or in a state of disrepair. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct, although relatively infrequent in usage. It appears in diverse contexts, including news articles, wikis, and business communications, where it serves to provide a clear indication of the state or quality of a described object or situation. While its register is generally neutral, remember to be specific in your descriptions for the best clarity, especially when more formal alternatives could also be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not in good condition

A more general and straightforward way of expressing the same idea.

not in the best condition

A softened way of saying something is damaged or unwell.

in poor shape

Focuses on the deteriorated state or form of something.

in a run-down condition

Suggests neglect and decline over time.

in bad repair

Specifically highlights the need for maintenance or fixing.

in a deteriorated state

Highlights the progressive decline in quality or condition.

in a state of disrepair

Formal and emphasizes the lack of maintenance.

in a dilapidated state

Emphasizes extreme disrepair and decay.

in a compromised state

Indicates that something's integrity or functionality is impaired.

in a fragile state

Implies vulnerability and susceptibility to further damage.

FAQs

How can I use "in rough condition" in a sentence?

You can use "in rough condition" to describe the state of something that is damaged or not well-maintained. For example, "The old house was "in rough condition" after years of neglect."

What's a more formal alternative to "in rough condition"?

A more formal alternative would be "in a state of disrepair" or "in poor condition". These phrases are suitable for professional or academic writing.

Which is correct, "in rough condition" or "in rough shape"?

Both phrases are generally acceptable and have similar meanings. "In rough condition" is slightly more formal, while "in rough shape" is more common in everyday conversation.

What can I say instead of "in rough condition" when describing a person's health?

When referring to a person's health, alternatives like "in poor health" or "not doing well" might be more appropriate.