TextRanch

The best way to perfect your writing.

Discover why 1,062,726 users count on TextRanch to get their English corrected!

1. Input your text below.
2. Get it corrected in a few minutes by our editors.
3. Improve your English!

One of our experts will correct your English.

That was a badly-written report. vs that was a badly written report

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. The first phrase 'that was a badly-written report' uses a hyphen to connect 'badly' and 'written' because they function together as an adjective to describe 'report'. The second phrase 'that was a badly written report' separates 'badly' and 'written' because 'badly' modifies 'written' directly. Both forms are commonly used in English.

Last updated: March 29, 2024 • 3462 views

That was a badly-written report.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. The hyphen connects 'badly' and 'written' because they function together as an adjective to describe 'report'.

This phrase is used when 'badly' and 'written' together modify the noun 'report'. The hyphen is used to show that 'badly' and 'written' work together as a single adjective.

Examples:

She handed in a well-thought-out proposal.
He is a well-known actor.
It was a much-needed break.
She is a kind-hearted person.
He is a hard-working student.

Show examples from the web [+]

This is basically a badly written and poorly plotted confession.
"Just a badly written one."
For it was such a badly written book, filled with endless cliché and shallow characters,
Yes, that was in your report.
That was the context of the report.
According to the applicant, that was apparent from the remarks contained in the contested report.
One of the amendments that was passed allowed it to issue own-initiative reports.
That was in fact the main reason for this own initiative report.
That was not the case with this report.
None of that was in the report.
Well, that wasn't on the police report.
That was the logic behind my voting for this report.
That was why we felt compelled to reject this report.
But I take the view that we should underline something that was not adequately dealt with in the report.
That was the very big achievement of this report.
You are the contact team that was recommended in the Goodman Report.
That was the original intention, and that was why Mr Lamfalussy launched this project, which was then supplemented by the von Wogau report.
That was Hotch. Linder's name came up on a police report.
Say, Mark, that was the medical examiner's report.
Something that was first thought of by yourself, Mr President, when you worked on the Martin reports.

Alternatives:

that was a poorly written report.
that was a badly crafted report.
that was a badly prepared report.
that was a badly composed report.
that was a badly structured report.

that was a badly written report

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. 'Badly' directly modifies 'written' without the need for a hyphen because 'badly' is an adverb describing how the report was written.

This phrase is used when 'badly' modifies the verb 'written' directly, without the need for a hyphen. 'Badly' describes the manner in which the report was written.

Examples:

She sings beautifully.
He writes well.
They work hard.
She speaks fluently.
He plays the piano skillfully.

Show examples from the web [+]

This is basically a badly written and poorly plotted confession.
I thought the only thing he got upset about was a badly rolled joint.
It was a badly kept secret that Rhino was talking to us.
"Just a badly written one."
For it was such a badly written book, filled with endless cliché and shallow characters,
It took three times because it was so badly written.
It took three times because it was so badly written.
The manual's so badly written, I can't understand it
All these words badly written by the Limousins with the Latin from Fouarre their proceduresweaved in the jargon from Coutances the angels have translated them for the Eternity.
Why are these books always so badly written, I wonder?
Lieutenant, start your written report immediately.
Create a written report for the files on this case.
We went over every one of Sam Sheer's written reports... at his old precinct.
It should be followed by a written report.
The written report says what still now remains to be done.
Giving us a written report before this debate could not fail to improve cooperation with Parliament.
The directive should bring further flexibility by eliminating the need to produce written report.
In many cases, there are no written reports on these matters.
Kramer was supposed to submit a written report on behalf of the bureau.
Kramer was supposed to submit a written report on behalf of the bureau.

Alternatives:

that was a poorly written report.
that was a badly crafted report.
that was a badly prepared report.
that was a badly composed report.
that was a badly structured report.

Related Comparisons

What Our Customers Are Saying

Our customers love us! We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283,125 votes.
Also check out our 2,100+ reviews on TrustPilot (4.9).

"Thank you!"
Sachi Nakama July 2024
"I have literally been through chat, PI, claude, bard and bing and I got conflicting answers! Thank you! Human intelligence reigns!"
Retha July 2024
"Faster than AI"
CYNTHIA December 2023
"This was very helpful and I personally think this site is the best."
Kaden October 2023
"It was extremely thorough and very helpful!"
imperialelisa October 2023
"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"
Zubair Alam October 2023
"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."
Selena October 2023
"Without textranch I would be stuck!"
宏祐 October 2023
"Accuracy and fast response. Personal comments from editor. Thank you."
Clh September 2023
"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"
Arturo September 2023
"The fact that you can get reliable fast feedback on your texts."
Vinicius Antonio August 2023
"you guys are better than grammarly i'm being honest here"
ordinary July 2023
"OMG! This is really good than any other text correction tools I've used so far. Highly recommend this."
Vehan July 2023
"Very fast and accurate. thank you."
mojtaba July 2023
"I love this app because it's help to writing skills all of students ♥️"
Tarisini July 2023
"This was exactly the mistake I was looking for, the wording dind´t sound right at first. Better than grammarly!"
Ente July 2023
"The immediate help that I received was reassuring and very satisfactory. Thanks."
priiiyanshuu July 2023
"this helps A LOT for my studies."
kathnunez02 June 2023
"Woow!! I would never have expected such precision! Thank you soooo much!!"
Berta June 2023
"Real Time Editor and not AI. Many Thanks."
Priya June 2023
"The very first thing excites me about Textranch is how much your editors care."
sepideh June 2023
"The fact that texts are checked by human editors rather than by AI, etc. I appreciate this!"
Анна June 2023
"Feel welcome, immediate response, high quality feedback"
martin.roy June 2023
"This is the best app that I have ever seen"
Burulai May 2023

Why choose TextRanch?

Lowest prices
Up to 50% lower than other online editing sites.

Fastest Times
Our team of editors is working for you 24/7.

Qualified Editors
Native English experts for UK or US English.

Top Customer Service
We are here to help. Satisfaction guaranteed!