poor timing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poor timing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where an action or event occurs at an inopportune moment. Example: "His decision to bring up the issue during the celebration was an example of poor timing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Timing is therefore critical and poor timing may lead to the learning of unanticipated and inappropriate responses [ 40].

BMC Veterinary Research

It was poor timing".

The Guardian

Impatience begat poor timing.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's such poor timing".

The New York Times

I have very poor timing.

The New York Times - Sports

"For our group it is poor timing.

The Guardian - Sport

Bond investors were also punished for poor timing.

The New York Times

WHAT was the total cost of this poor timing?

The New York Times

Poor timing, he acknowledged; others thought poor taste.

The Economist

Yet due to poor timing of application, significant failures continue to occur, Pethybridge said.

Cornell University

Most of this water is also wasted due to poor timing and application.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "poor timing", consider the specific context to determine if a more descriptive alternative might be more effective. For instance, "inopportune moment" might better convey the nuance in a formal setting.

Common error

Avoid replacing "poor timing" with simply "poor time". While "poor time" can be grammatically correct in certain contexts, it doesn't always convey the intended meaning of inappropriately timed events or actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poor timing" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "poor" modifies the noun "timing". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and is used to describe a situation when something happens at an inopportune moment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

23%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poor timing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes situations where the timing of an event or action is unfavorable. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. While versatile, consider using more descriptive alternatives like "inopportune moment" for enhanced clarity. Be mindful not to confuse it with simpler phrases like "poor time", which may not always convey the intended nuance. With a neutral register, "poor timing" is suitable for diverse contexts, but is most commonly found in news, academia, and scientific publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inopportune moment

Focuses on the unsuitability of the specific point in time.

ill-timed

A more concise, adjective-based alternative.

unfortunate timing

Highlights the negative consequences or bad luck associated with the timing.

bad moment

Emphasizes the unfortunate choice of time.

untimely

Suggests that something happened sooner than it should have.

inappropriate time

Highlights the unsuitability of the time chosen.

awkward timing

Highlights the discomfort or difficulty caused by the timing.

mistimed

Implies a miscalculation or error in the timing.

out of sync

Indicates a lack of coordination or alignment in timing.

a bad time to

Highlights the negative impact the time has on the outcome.

FAQs

What does "poor timing" mean?

"Poor timing" refers to a situation where an event or action occurs at an unsuitable or disadvantageous time, leading to negative consequences or missed opportunities.

What can I say instead of "poor timing"?

You can use alternatives like "inopportune moment", "ill-timed", or "unfortunate timing" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "poor timing"?

Yes, "poor timing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English to describe a situation where the timing is unfavorable.

How can I avoid "poor timing" in project management?

Careful planning, risk assessment, and flexible scheduling can help mitigate the risk of "ill-timed" actions or events in project management.