undesirably

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undesirably" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not wanted or is considered unfavorable. Example: "The weather has turned undesirably cold for this time of year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Even if you did manage to craft the perfect rule for monetary policy today, it is likely that it would be the wrong fit for the economy tomorrow, leading either to undesirably high inflation or more periods with interest rates stuck at zero.In monetary policy, as in life, commitment is a key ingredient to success.

The Economist

He acknowledged that inflation was likely to exceed 3% for a while, but said it should return to the target in due course, not least since monetary growth despite quantitative easing was "undesirably low".

The Economist

Instead, up to 30% of its weight could be slag the toxic gunk left over when steel is made.Waelz slag, to give its technical name, is composed mainly of silica but is also undesirably rich in poisonous metals like lead and zinc.

The Economist

It also means that real interest rates can't be negative, and so are undesirably high.

The Economist

Instead, in order to retain its full autonomy, America has in effect undermined a treaty that promised to help restrain the spread of nuclear weapons —which it surely wants.Still, that is the ideological answer: that treaties and other quasi-legal arrangements restrain the autonomy of the United States undesirably.

The Economist

Salt preserves the meat but in excessive quantities impairs the flavour and makes the lean muscles undesirably hard.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Furthermore, the ZLB often comes hand-in-hand with undesirably low inflation or even a falling price level, carrying with it the associated costs of debt deflation on the real economy".

Independent

For Paglen, though, the late-day light and corresponding drop in temperature were making his pictures undesirably clear.

The New Yorker

In addition, some skeptics said the action would "put unwanted downward pressure on the dollar's value in foreign exchange markets," while others said it "could cause an undesirably large increase in inflation".

The New York Times

But committee members appeared to have set aside the idea for now, according to the minutes, because of "the risk that the Federal Reserve might find itself buying undesirably large amounts of the relevant security in order to keep its yield close to the target level".

The New York Times

As Fed officials in the Oct. 15 meeting noted, the strategy would involve "potentially large risks," primarily the risk that the Fed "might find itself buying undesirably large amounts" of a particular security to keep its yield close to the target level.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "undesirably", consider the context and whether a simpler synonym like "unwantedly" might be more appropriate for everyday language.

Common error

Avoid using "undesirably" in very informal contexts where it might sound unnatural or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives to maintain a conversational tone.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "undesirably" functions primarily to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating that an action or state is occurring in an unwanted or unfavorable manner. As Ludwig AI suggests, it conveys that something is not happening in a preferred way. Ludwig examples show it often modifies adjectives like "low" or "high."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "undesirably" is an adverb used to describe something happening in an unwanted or unfavorable manner. It's grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, and commonly found in news and media sources as well as in encyclopedias. While it can be used in various contexts, it's best suited for formal or professional settings where precision is valued. Alternatives include "unwantedly" and "unfavorably". When writing, be mindful of the tone and consider simpler synonyms for informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in an unwanted way

Similar meaning, but uses "unwanted" instead of "undesirable", focusing on the lack of desire.

in a negative fashion

General term that indicates an unpleasant outcome or unwanted situation.

in an unwelcome manner

Replaces a single adverb with a prepositional phrase, slightly increasing formality.

in an unsatisfactory manner

Focuses on the failure to meet expectations or requirements.

in a displeasing fashion

More formal and focuses on the lack of pleasure caused.

in a detrimental way

Focuses on the harmful or damaging aspect of the situation.

in an unacceptable fashion

Emphasizes that something doesn't meet a standard or is not allowed.

to a regrettable extent

Emphasizes the regret associated with the action or situation.

to an unfortunate degree

Highlights the element of bad luck or misfortune involved.

in an unfavorable light

Highlights the negative perception or impression created.

FAQs

How can I use "undesirably" in a sentence?

"Undesirably" modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb to describe the unwanted or unfavorable manner in which something is done or occurs. Example: "The policy affected small businesses "undesirably"."

What can I say instead of "undesirably"?

You can use alternatives like "unwantedly", "unfavorably", or "regrettably" depending on the context.

Is "undesirably" formal or informal?

"Undesirably" tends to be more formal. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "unwantedly" or phrases like "in a bad way" may be more appropriate.

Which is correct, "undesirably high" or "undesirable high"?

"Undesirably high" is correct. "Undesirably" is an adverb modifying the adjective "high", whereas "undesirable" is an adjective and doesn't fit grammatically in this context.