I was callous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was callous" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a past behavior or attitude that was emotionally insensitive or unfeeling. Example: "Looking back, I realize that I was callous in my response to her grief, and I wish I had been more supportive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I was callous in breaking up with a girlfriend.

The New York Times

I've had friends die, and I was callous about it.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"I'm callous to all that," Knoblauch said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's not as though I'm callous to the issue," she said.

The New York Times

"It was brutal and it was callous.

The New York Times

It was cynical, it was callous — it was Congress at its worst.

The New Yorker

Sometimes I forget all of the painstaking, meticulous and laboriously detailed plans that Paul recounts ad nauseum and occasionally I can be callous when, oh let's say, I laugh at his coming out song which happens to be Reflection by Christina Aguilera.

Huffington Post

The judge said that the killing was callous and cowardly.

BBC

My initial reaction was callous.

Huffington Post

The remark was callous, perhaps, but obvious.

Vice

I'm not being callous but I didn't know how long this would go on.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I was callous", be specific about the situation or action to which you are referring to provide context and clarity. For example, "I was callous in dismissing her concerns about the project."

Common error

Avoid using "I was callous" simply as a statement of fact without any indication of remorse or understanding of the impact of your actions. Acknowledge the consequences of your callousness to demonstrate genuine introspection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was callous" functions as a statement of self-assessment, expressing a past state of being characterized by emotional insensitivity. Ludwig AI provides examples where this phrase is used to acknowledge and reflect upon past behavior.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was callous" is used to express a past state of emotional insensitivity, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is grammatically correct, though relatively rare in occurrence. When using this phrase, clarity and context are crucial for effective communication and to demonstrate true introspection. Ludwig AI provides examples from news and media to illustrate its use in reflective narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was heartless

Replaces "callous" with "heartless", emphasizing a lack of feeling or compassion.

I was unfeeling

Substitutes "callous" with "unfeeling", highlighting the absence of emotion or sympathy.

I was cold-hearted

Similar to "I was heartless", but with a slightly different nuance, highlighting a lack of warmth or affection.

I was insensitive

Replaces "callous" with "insensitive", focusing on a lack of awareness or concern for others' feelings.

I was unsympathetic

Replaces "callous" with "unsympathetic", emphasizing a lack of compassion or understanding.

I was indifferent

Substitutes "callous" with "indifferent", suggesting a lack of interest or concern.

I lacked empathy

Shifts the focus to the speaker's deficiency in understanding and sharing the feelings of others.

I was ruthless

Replaces "callous" with "ruthless", suggesting a lack of pity or moral considerations.

I showed no compassion

Highlights the absence of compassionate behavior or feelings.

I disregarded their feelings

Focuses on the act of ignoring or dismissing someone's emotions.

FAQs

What does it mean to say "I was callous"?

Saying "I was callous" means you behaved in an emotionally insensitive or unfeeling manner in the past. It implies a lack of empathy or concern for others.

What can I say instead of "I was callous"?

You can use alternatives like "I was heartless", "I was unfeeling", or "I was insensitive" to express a similar sentiment.

Is it better to say "I was callous" or "I am callous"?

"I was callous" refers to past behavior, while "I am callous" describes a current personality trait. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the timeframe you are discussing.

How can I avoid being "callous"?

Cultivate empathy by actively listening to others, considering their perspectives, and acknowledging their feelings. Practice responding with compassion and understanding, even when you don't agree.