awkward phrasing
Words arranged badly
Awkward phrasing describes word choices or sentence structures that feel clumsy, unclear, or unnatural.
The problem isn't grammatical incorrectness but a lack of flow—sentences that make readers stumble or reread: The teacher marked "awkward phrasing" in the margin.
Writers develop an ear for it over time.
- clumsyLacking physical coordination
- stiltedUnnaturally formal in expression
- convolutedExcessively complex or twisted
- garbledConfused and unintelligible
- word saladMeaningless verbal confusion
tangled · wooden · stiff · labored · tortured · purple prose · mangled · jumbled · unclear · muddled · lost in translation · verbose · wordy · roundabout · run-on sentence · choppy · disjointed · all over the place
- writing flawstypos, spelling errors, plot hole, plot holes, cliche
- mistakesmistake, mistakes, slip, error, errors
- language errorsspelling error, spelling mistake, typo, misspelling, syntax error
- speech errorsslip of the tongue, mispronunciation, malapropism, malapropisms, spoonerism
- Writing Critiquebook review, plot analysis, character study, prose style, narrative voice
awkward, awkwardly, awkwardness, phrase, phrases, phrased, phrasing, phrasal, paraphrase