act of negligence

USAGE SUMMARY

"act of negligence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe an instance in which someone fails to exercise a reasonable amount of care, causing harm or damage as a result. For example: "The skier's death was caused by an act of negligence on the part of the ski resort, who failed to repair a broken ski lift."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"This is a deliberate act of negligence," Mr. Brahma said in a telephone interview.

The New York Times

Was her participation in his preparations for death an act of negligence?

The New York Times - Books

The policy covers any act of negligence of the insured or residents of the home that results in legal liability.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The eight who voted for acquittal believed the shooting was an act of negligence or an accident, jurors said.

The New York Times

In business liability insurance, all partners, officers, directors, or proprietors are covered by the policy regardless of their direct responsibility for any act of negligence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It fell to Admiral Fargo to weigh a desire to protect the morale of his fleet against the cries to punish an act of negligence.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

There were also individual acts of negligence.

The New York Times

But the heavy death toll was also exacerbated by acts of negligence.

Independent

But in 1999, Oregon amended its law to keep the state from satisfying hospital debts with money that patients obtained from the state itself for acts of negligence.

The New York Times

Regardless of his acts of negligence and effective responsibility, the right wing has maintained for years that the Italian judicial system has been in dogged pursuit of Berlusconi.

The Guardian - Opinion

Major deals came and went with record companies dropping great bands in flagrant acts of negligence and stupidity, and it's hard not to feel that some of them should have been world-beaters.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific incident, use "act of negligence" to emphasize the single instance of carelessness, as opposed to a continuous pattern of neglect.

Common error

Avoid using "act of negligence" when describing a general condition or pattern of behavior. Use "negligence" instead. For example, say "the company's negligence led to multiple accidents" rather than "multiple acts of negligence."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "act of negligence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence or clause. It denotes a specific instance where someone's failure to exercise reasonable care resulted in harm or damage. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "act of negligence" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes a specific instance of someone failing to exercise a reasonable standard of care, leading to harm or damage. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically sound and widely accepted. It commonly appears in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. To ensure correct usage, remember that "act of negligence" refers to a particular incident, contrasting with "negligence", which denotes a general lack of care. When writing, consider that alternatives such as "negligent action" or "careless deed" may suit different contexts. Use "act of negligence" when you want to emphasize a single, identifiable occurrence of carelessness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

negligent action

Focuses on the action being negligent, a more direct alternative.

breach of duty of care

Specifies the legal aspect of failing to meet a required standard of care.

failure to exercise due care

Emphasizes the failure to take necessary precautions.

careless deed

Highlights the lack of care involved, using more informal language.

omission of responsibility

Highlights the neglected duty or responsibility.

dereliction of duty

Implies a conscious abandonment of a required obligation.

lapse in judgment

Focuses on a mistake in decision-making that leads to harm.

instance of malpractice

Specifically refers to professional negligence.

professional misconduct

Refers to unacceptable or illegal behavior by a professional.

error in execution

Highlights a mistake in carrying out a task or duty.

FAQs

How is "act of negligence" typically used in legal contexts?

In law, "act of negligence" refers to a specific instance where someone failed to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm. It's a key element in establishing liability in tort cases, requiring proof of duty, breach, causation, and damages.

What are some alternatives to using "act of negligence" in writing?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "negligent action", "careless deed", or "breach of duty of care". Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the failure to exercise due care.

Is there a difference between "act of negligence" and simply "negligence"?

"Act of negligence" refers to a specific occurrence or instance of negligent behavior, whereas "negligence" is a broader term describing a general lack of reasonable care or a pattern of such behavior. Using one or the other depends if you are referring to a specific case or a general attitude.

How do I prove an "act of negligence" in a legal claim?

Proving an "act of negligence" usually requires showing that the defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff, that the defendant breached that duty through a specific action or inaction (the act of negligence), that this breach directly caused harm to the plaintiff, and that the plaintiff suffered actual damages as a result.