poorly timed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poorly timed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or action that occurs at an inappropriate or inconvenient moment. Example: "The announcement of the layoffs was poorly timed, coming just before the holiday season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Very poorly timed.

The New York Times

"Poorly timed," Mr. Hilterman called their departure.

The New York Times

But this was also poorly timed.

The Economist

It was a poorly timed jab.

The New York Times - Sports

It was new, awkward and poorly timed.

The New York Times - Sports

Poorly timed and expensive acquisitions that have dragged down earnings.

The Washington Post

Its release couldn't have been more poorly timed.

The New York Times

Was it just a poorly timed bad day?

The New York Times

It was a poorly timed dive by the goalkeeper and the ball squirmed under his body.

The Guardian - Sport

But for a poorly timed pit stop, he would have won last month's German GP.

The Guardian - Sport

The company was plagued by strategic missteps, including poorly timed investments.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "poorly timed", ensure the context clearly indicates what event or action suffered from bad timing. For example: "The release of the report was "poorly timed" due to the ongoing crisis."

Common error

Ensure that the subject being described as "poorly timed" is clearly identifiable. Vague references can lead to confusion. Instead of saying "It was "poorly timed"," specify what exactly was poorly timed: "The announcement was "poorly timed"."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poorly timed" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something occurred at an unsuitable or inappropriate moment. Ludwig examples confirm its adjectival role in describing various events and actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Sport

12%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "poorly timed" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something occurring at an unsuitable moment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as an adjective phrase, conveying disapproval or regret about timing. While neutral in register, it finds frequent use in news, sports, and business contexts. For alternatives, consider "ill-timed" or "inopportune". When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what is being described as "poorly timed" to prevent ambiguity. This analysis highlights the versatility and practical considerations for using "poorly timed" effectively in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ill-timed

A more concise and formal alternative, emphasizing the inappropriateness of the timing.

inopportune

Highlights the lack of suitability of the moment, often implying inconvenience.

untimely

Focuses on the inappropriateness of the timing, suggesting it was premature or undesirable.

inappropriately timed

A more descriptive alternative, explicitly stating that the timing was not suitable.

badly timed

A straightforward alternative emphasizing the negative aspect of the timing.

unfortunately timed

Highlights the regrettable nature of the timing, often implying negative consequences.

poorly scheduled

Suggests the timing was planned badly, indicating a lack of foresight.

mistimed

Implies an error in judging the right moment for something to happen.

inconveniently timed

Focuses on the disruption or trouble caused by the timing.

unseasonable

Suggests that the event or action occurred out of the ordinary or expected time, emphasizing its strangeness or inappropriateness.

FAQs

What does "poorly timed" mean?

"Poorly timed" means occurring at an inappropriate or inconvenient moment, often leading to negative consequences. It indicates that the timing was not right or well-chosen.

What are some alternatives to "poorly timed"?

Alternatives include "ill-timed", "inopportune", "inappropriately timed", or "badly timed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "poorly timed" in a sentence?

You can use "poorly timed" to describe events, actions, or decisions. For example: "The company's decision to launch a new product during the recession was "poorly timed"." or "His joke was "poorly timed" and offended many people."

Is there a difference between "ill-timed" and "poorly timed"?

While both terms are similar, "ill-timed" often implies a more significant degree of inappropriateness or misfortune than "poorly timed". However, in most contexts, they are interchangeable.