that was inappropriate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was inappropriate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that someone's behavior or comment was not suitable or acceptable in a given context. Example: "During the meeting, his remarks about her appearance were completely uncalled for; that was inappropriate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm confident we didn't do anything that was inappropriate.

The Guardian

"I never saw anything that was inappropriate," she said.

The New York Times - Style

"Did Tek behave in a way that was inappropriate?

The New York Times

"The arts center got a lot of authority and responsibility over the years that was inappropriate," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

He also said the term "zero tolerance" was a "war slogan" that was inappropriate for the church.

The New York Times

"We believe Mrs. Kah-Orukotan received more than a minimally invasive Level I liposuction procedure in a setting that was inappropriate," Mr. Freedland said.

The New York Times

Tom Cole, a former chief of staff for the Republican Party, put forth his concern: "The real question is, was there something given to Enron that was inappropriate?

The New York Times

This content went "beyond currently accepted norms of good taste and decency into something that was inappropriate and in poor taste, and would have offended many people".

The Guardian

"Subsequently and over several months I came to your home on several occasions, sometimes unannounced, and conducted a friendship with you that was inappropriate and unprofessional.

BBC

"As a man of faith I had to challenge them because they were claiming an ownership of God that was inappropriate," he said.

Independent

"But the RFU panel found that Cockerill used words that were obscene, inappropriate and unprofessional and behaviour that was inappropriate and unprofessional.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that was inappropriate", clearly state what specific action or statement you are referring to for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "that was inappropriate" without providing context or explaining why the action was inappropriate. Overusing the phrase without justification can make your communication seem vague and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was inappropriate" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing disapproval or disagreement with a specific action, behavior, or comment. As shown by Ludwig, it serves to communicate that something was not suitable or acceptable in a particular context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

16%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that was inappropriate" is a versatile expression used to convey disapproval or disagreement with actions or statements deemed unsuitable or unacceptable. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency across diverse sources, particularly in news and media. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; ensure you specify the action you're criticizing. For alternatives, consider "that was unacceptable", "that was out of line", or "that was uncalled for" to add nuance to your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was unacceptable

Replaces "inappropriate" with a stronger term indicating something is not permissible.

that was out of line

Indicates behavior that exceeded acceptable boundaries.

that was uncalled for

Suggests the action was unnecessary and offensive.

that was improper

Similar to inappropriate, but suggests a violation of rules or etiquette.

that was wrong

A general term indicating a moral or ethical violation.

that was unsuitable

Indicates something doesn't fit the context or situation.

that was indecorous

A more formal way to say something lacked good taste or propriety.

that was regrettable

Focuses on the feeling of disappointment or sorrow about something.

that was discourteous

Indicates a lack of politeness or respect.

that was impolite

Similar to discourteous, but slightly milder in tone.

FAQs

How can I use "that was inappropriate" in a sentence?

You can use "that was inappropriate" to express disapproval or disagreement with a particular action or statement. For example, "His comments during the meeting were insensitive; "that was inappropriate"."

What can I say instead of "that was inappropriate"?

You can use alternatives like "that was unacceptable", "that was out of line", or "that was uncalled for" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "that was inappropriate" or "that was improper"?

Both phrases are similar, but ""that was inappropriate"" is more general, while "that was improper" suggests a violation of specific rules or etiquette. The best choice depends on the specific situation.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "that was inappropriate"?

Use ""that was inappropriate"" when someone's behavior or comment is unsuitable, offensive, or violates social or professional norms. It's important to use it judiciously and provide context for your assessment.