unsuitably

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unsuitably" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is inappropriate or not suitable for a particular situation or context. Example: "The dress she wore to the formal event was deemed unsuitably casual."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Not unsuitably, there was a tone of gentle, self-deprecating irony about much of the proceedings.

The Guardian - Opinion

Joël Flichy, boss of the French venture-capital outfit Galileo, thinks the Nouveau Marché's marketers are scouring France to lure unsuitably youthful companies to their exchange.So far, the national exchanges have mostly been reeling in tiddlers.

The Economist

In Britain, some banks have been rapped over the knuckles by regulators for selling unsuitably risky investments to retail clients.

The Economist

CME's executives remain wary that new rules may drive some activity abroad or require the clearing of unsuitably exotic, illiquid swaps.

The Economist

More than 85 percent of all shark species are too small, too unsuitably toothed, or too sluggish or live at depths too great to be potentially dangerous.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Though ultimately well beaten that day at Cheltenham, Universal Soldier (3.20) shaped well in unsuitably lively conditions and makes only his fourth start for the up-and-coming Charlie Longsdon stable.

Independent

You should drink white wine with fish The tannin in red wine is generally thought unsuitably paired with the delights of the sea, but what about meatier fish, such as tuna or swordfish?

Independent

The S.E.C. sued Stifel on Aug. 10 because the firm advised the school districts to buy the three ill-fated securities, which the regulator said were unsuitably risky for unsophisticated investors.

The New York Times

Bitterblue falls in love for the first time, and — as is the wont of queens in tales — she does so most unsuitably.

The New York Times - Books

God, this is an unsuitably grand verb, but she dressed me at Balenciaga.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Some encouragement for all the 42-year-olds suddenly getting into Rihanna or Rudimental: at least your midlife crisis is less dangerous than buying an unsuitably-powerful motorbike.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unsuitably" to convey that something is not just unsuitable, but noticeably so, creating a sense of incongruity or inappropriateness.

Common error

Avoid using "unsuitably" in highly formal or technical writing where a more precise term like "inappropriately" or "improperly" might be preferred to maintain a consistent tone.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "unsuitably" primarily functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating the manner in which an action is performed or a quality is exhibited. Ludwig shows many examples where it describes something done in an inappropriate or unfitting way.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unsuitably" is an adverb used to express that something is done in an inappropriate or unfitting manner, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and commonly found in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While synonyms like "inappropriately" and "improperly" exist, "unsuitably" carries a distinct nuance of noticeable incongruity. When writing, it's best to use "unsuitably" when you want to highlight that something is not just unsuitable but conspicuously so. As suggested by Ludwig, it is best to consider the level of formality that best suits your project as well, since this expression, although correct, may be not the best option in strict and professional contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inappropriately

Direct synonym, emphasizing a lack of suitability in a given context.

improperly

Indicates something is done incorrectly, lacking proper form or etiquette.

unfittingly

Highlights the lack of alignment or harmony with the situation.

inaptly

Suggests a lack of skill or appropriateness, often in expression or action.

incongruously

Emphasizes a lack of harmony or compatibility, often creating a jarring effect.

in a manner that is unsuitable

Expands the original word into a phrase, adding emphasis.

in a way that is inappropriate

Similar to "inappropriately", but more descriptive.

not appropriately

Highlights the absence of appropriate behavior or action.

out of place

Describes something as not belonging or being suitable for a specific context.

wrongly

Indicates something is done incorrectly or inappropriately, often with ethical implications.

FAQs

How can I use "unsuitably" in a sentence?

You can use "unsuitably" to describe something that doesn't fit a certain context or situation. For example, "He was dressed "unsuitably for the occasion"."

What words are similar to "unsuitably"?

Alternatives to "unsuitably" include "inappropriately", "improperly", or "unfittingly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "unsuitably" or "inappropriately"?

While both are similar, "unsuitably" suggests a more obvious mismatch or lack of fitness, whereas "inappropriately" focuses more on the lack of properness or correctness. Choose the word that best reflects the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "unsuitably" and "inaptly"?

"Unsuitably" refers to a general lack of fitness, while "inaptly" suggests a lack of skill or a poor choice of words or actions. "He spoke "inaptly"" implies he chose the wrong words; "He was dressed "unsuitably"" suggests his attire didn't fit the occasion.