unwisely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unwisely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or decision that is not wise or is made without good judgment. Example: "He unwisely invested all his savings in a risky venture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In real life, Maclaine was caught when he sold some stolen clothes, unwisely giving his real name and address to the shopkeeper.

The Guardian - Film

On September 29th silver exceeded $22 an ounce, a price not seen since 1980 when the Hunt brothers, a pair of Texan oil barons, unwisely attempted to corner the market.

The Economist

Unwisely, the court agreed to his demand that his six-day trial should be held in public.

The Economist

It reconstructed the Lady's last days in office in 1990, as her support among Conservative MPs evaporated and she unwisely went off to a summit in Paris while her fate was decided.

The Economist

Members of its opposition are unwisely calling for Western intervention immediately.

The Economist

He has spent nearly six decades believing that a childhood friend called Iva Militka betrayed him; he had unwisely contacted her during his clandestine trip.

The Economist

IN AUGUST 2003, a visitor to the Chelmsford music festival unwisely sold a small amount of ecstasy to two undercover police officers.

The Economist

Instead he was snatched on a Baghdad street while buying a newspaper; unwisely, he had been unguarded.

The Economist

John Kerry, the United States' secretary of state, had unwisely referred to Latin America in remarks on April 18th as "our backyard", a red rag to those incensed by past meddling.In this section The PRI's long tail Bye, bye American pie Cry havoc ReprintsMr Morales cannily chose to end relations with USAID just as they were petering out.

The Economist

It has not obviously overinvested, but it has often invested unwisely.

The Economist

It has extracted cash from GM to allow the American car firm to drop an option it unwisely took out to buy the whole company, and it has insisted that its banks convert some of their loans into equity.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unwisely", ensure the context clearly indicates the negative consequences or lack of foresight associated with the action. Strong verbs and descriptive details can enhance the impact of this adverb.

Common error

While "unwisely" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise alternatives like "imprudently" or "injudiciously" to convey nuances of poor judgment.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unwisely" is to act as an adverb, modifying verbs, adverbs, or adjectives to describe the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig AI confirms this usage aligns with standard grammatical practices, as evidenced by numerous examples where "unwisely" modifies verbs of action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "unwisely" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term primarily found in News & Media contexts. Ludwig AI's analysis, backed by numerous examples, confirms its role in modifying verbs to express disapproval or critique actions lacking sound judgment. While versatile, writers should consider more precise alternatives like "imprudently" for formal settings. The usage of "unwisely" serves to highlight actions performed with poor judgment or foresight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Foolishly

Indicates a lack of good sense or judgment; very similar to "unwisely" but often implies a stronger degree of silliness.

Imprudently

Suggests a lack of caution or foresight, often in financial or practical matters. Highlights the risk involved in the action.

Inadvisedly

Similar to "unwisely", but may suggest that the action was taken against advice or counsel.

Injudiciously

Suggests a lack of sound judgment, especially in a formal or official context.

Rashly

Emphasizes acting without thinking or considering the consequences, implying haste and impulsiveness.

Shortsightedly

Focuses on a lack of long-term vision or consideration, emphasizing the failure to anticipate future consequences.

Indiscreetly

Focuses on a lack of tact or discretion, revealing something that should have been kept private or handled carefully.

Uncircumspectly

Indicates a lack of caution or careful consideration of all circumstances, suggesting a risky or reckless approach.

Unthinkingly

Similar to "without thinking", but may also imply a lack of empathy or awareness of others' feelings.

Without thinking

Highlights the lack of conscious consideration before acting, emphasizing spontaneity and potential regret.

FAQs

How can I use "unwisely" in a sentence?

Use "unwisely" to modify a verb, indicating that an action was performed without good judgment or foresight. For example, "He "unwisely invested" all his savings in a risky venture."

What words can I use instead of "unwisely"?

Alternatives to "unwisely" include "foolishly", "imprudently", or "rashly" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "unwisely decision"?

No, "unwisely" is an adverb and modifies verbs, not nouns. You should say "unwise decision" instead, using the adjective "unwise" to describe the decision.

What's the difference between "unwisely" and "foolishly"?

"Unwisely" generally suggests a lack of good judgment or foresight, whereas "foolishly" often implies a greater degree of silliness or lack of intelligence. The choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.