wrong time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wrong time" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you could use it in a sentence like, "I went to the beach at the wrong time, and it was too cold to get in the water."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Some people, alas, bought at exactly the wrong time.

Forbes

Wrong time".

The New Yorker

"Wrong place, wrong time".

The New York Times

Right dame, wrong time.

The New Yorker

It's always the wrong time".

The New York Times

"Right team, wrong time," Winslow said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Wrong place, wrong time is no excuse.

The New York Times - Sports

Once again, wrong place, wrong time.

The New York Times

"Wrong place – wrong time!" he laughed.

Independent

Was it the wrong time?

The New York Times - Sports

"You'll probably buy at the wrong time and sell at the wrong time".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair it with the preposition "at" to describe when an action took place, such as "at the "wrong time"", which is a very common structure in journalistic writing.

Common error

Do not use "wrong time" if you simply mean someone is busy. In those cases, "bad time" or "not a good time" is often more idiomatic and less dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wrong time" typically functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective, often appearing as the object of a preposition in adverbial phrases. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it frequently identifies a specific temporal point that is detrimental to the subject's goals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Sports

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

3%

Lifestyle

1%

Academic

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wrong time" is a robust and versatile expression used to denote temporal errors or unfortunate circumstances. Based on data from Ludwig, it is highly prevalent in high-quality journalism, particularly when describing financial shifts, sporting failures, or personal misfortunes. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and most frequently used in the context of being in the "wrong place at the "wrong time"". When writing, remember that while it is widely applicable, choosing a more specific alternative like "inopportune" can occasionally add a layer of sophistication to your prose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inopportune time

More formal, suggesting the time is inconvenient or poorly suited.

bad time

More informal and general, often used when someone is busy.

poor timing

Focuses on the execution or the scheduling of an event.

inappropriate moment

Emphasizes the lack of social or professional suitability.

unfortunate timing

Stresses the element of bad luck or coincidence.

ill-timed moment

A slightly more literary way to describe poor synchronization.

wrong juncture

Refers specifically to a critical point or stage in a process.

misguided timing

Implies that the timing was a result of a bad decision.

unsuitable occasion

Focuses on the event or ceremony rather than just the time.

incorrect hour

Much more literal, referring to a specific chronological error.

FAQs

How to use "wrong time" in a sentence?

You can use it as a predicate adjective or within a prepositional phrase. For example: "The rain came at the "wrong time" for the harvest."

What can I say instead of "wrong time"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "bad time", "inopportune moment", or "poor timing".

Which is correct, "wrong time" or "bad timing"?

Both are correct, but they have different nuances. "wrong time" usually refers to a specific instance or point on a clock, whereas "bad timing" refers to the synchronization of events.

What is the difference between "wrong time" and "bad time"?

While similar, "wrong time" often implies a situational error or a mistake in judgment, while "bad time" is more frequently used to describe personal inconvenience.