untimeliness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "untimeliness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not timely or occurs at an inappropriate or inconvenient time. Example: "The untimeliness of the report submission caused delays in the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The awful untimeliness of his death is revealed by the fact that in May 2010, Norway signed a Letter of Intent with Indonesia, offering a billion dollars, cash on delivery, for reduced greenhouse-gas emissions from avoided deforestation.

Independent

Allen's persistence in using the one and only typewriter of his life, and in practicing cut-and-staple editing are certainly curious, quaint, idiosyncratic, even endearing; but they're also proof on the wing of two of Allen's lifelong qualities — untimeliness and hermeticism — as well as of the enduring struggle in his films between writing and experience.

The New Yorker

Their analysis coalesces with their untimeliness, their curiosity with their isolation.

The New Yorker

However, the other likely psychological consequence of democratic untimeliness is complacency.

The Guardian - Books

But Murphy is only fifty-five; I hope that there will be lots of time — and that his own untimeliness, the very mark of art, will itself become the engine of his art.

The New Yorker

The search for lost time — and for vanished times — is crucial to his movie's drama, indeed, to its conception; perhaps his is an untimeliness whose time has come.

The New Yorker

The secretary of state takes the position that the law requires the county canvassing boards to certify and report the results of elections in their counties no later than 5 p.m. Nov. 14, 2000, that there are no exceptions to this mandate, and that the secretary is likewise required by law to ignore any untimely received returns unless the untimeliness is caused by a hurricane or other act of God.

The New York Times

For generic reasons, and for their untimeliness.

The New York Times - Magazine

"What makes it timely is its untimeliness".

The New York Times - Magazine

Did we compound this untimeliness with a metaphor drawn from 40-year-old pop history?

The Guardian - Opinion

Pete feels the world slipping away from him; he runs the risk of untimeliness, of obsolescence, of irrelevance — of slipping into a form of premature oldness far worse than that of the mere calendar.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "untimeliness", consider the specific nuance you want to convey: is it about lateness, inappropriateness, or inconvenience? Choose synonyms that reflect that specific meaning for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "untimeliness" when a simpler word like "lateness" or "inconvenience" would suffice. Overusing complex vocabulary can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "untimeliness" is as a noun. It represents the state or quality of being untimely, describing when something occurs at an unsuitable or inappropriate moment. Ludwig AI indicates the word is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "untimeliness" functions as a noun that describes the state of being untimely or occurring at an inappropriate moment. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. Although it is not as frequently used as simpler alternatives like "lateness" or "inconvenience", "untimeliness" adds a layer of nuance, emphasizing the unsuitability of the timing. Its primary context is in news and media, often employed to discuss events that are poorly timed or out of sync. When using "untimeliness", be mindful of the specific connotation you intend to convey, and consider whether a more straightforward term would be more appropriate for your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inopportune timing

Focuses specifically on the timing being unsuitable or inconvenient.

ill-timed

Emphasizes that something happened at a bad or unsuitable time.

poor timing

Indicates that the timing was not well-chosen or executed.

inappropriateness

Highlights the unsuitability of the time or occasion.

lack of timeliness

Directly states the absence of being on time or timely.

mistiming

Refers to an error or misjudgment in choosing the right moment.

inconvenient timing

Stresses the trouble or difficulty caused by the timing.

unseasonableness

Suggests that something is out of season or inappropriate for the current time.

prematureness

Implies something happened too early or before it was ready.

delayed

Focuses on the lateness or postponement of something.

FAQs

How can I use "untimeliness" in a sentence?

You can use "untimeliness" to describe the state of something occurring at an inappropriate or inconvenient time. For example, "The "untimeliness" of his resignation surprised everyone."

What are some alternatives to "untimeliness"?

Alternatives include "inopportune timing", "ill-timed", and "poor timing", which can be used depending on the specific context.

Is "untimeliness" a commonly used word?

While grammatically correct, "untimeliness" is not as common as simpler alternatives like "lateness" or "inconvenience". Its use may add a more formal or nuanced tone to your writing.

What is the difference between "untimeliness" and "lateness"?

"Lateness" generally refers to being behind schedule, whereas "untimeliness" encompasses a broader sense of inappropriateness or unsuitability of the timing. "Untimeliness" suggests something is not just late, but also ill-suited for the moment.