because of carelessness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "because of carelessness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to explain the reason for a negative outcome or mistake that occurred due to a lack of attention or diligence. Example: "The project failed to meet its deadline because of carelessness in planning and execution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

With tragic frequency we hear of examples to the contrary: guns owned by householders or merchants that, because of carelessness or extreme emotion, kill innocent people, often the gun owners themselves or their loved ones.

The New York Times

I'd see this differently if the suit were stolen because of carelessness, if for example you'd left the car unlocked, the suit in plain sight, and had erected a big flashing sign: Steal This Suit.

The New York Times - Magazine

There is no reason to enrich an already rich person simply because of carelessness (of this sort).

SEP

One division of informal fallacies is the fallacies of relevance which are "errors in reasoning into which we may fall because of carelessness and inattention to our subject matter" (1961, 53).

SEP

Falls may include slipping from a higher to a lower level because of carelessness, without any pushing force, syncope, or stroke.

Clinical interventions in aging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

And all because of a piece of carelessness with a campfire.

Independent

"We made City look better than they were because of our carelessness in the second half," Ferguson said.

The New York Times - Sports

It is because of the carelessness of such barrages that the government and AMISOM come in for criticism from Human Rights Watch.

The New Yorker

St. John's made 26 turnovers -- Jarvis said 80percentt were because of pure carelessness -- and shot 36.5percentt.

The New York Times - Sports

The president might also point out that BP is not on Americans' most-trusted-corporations list right now — partly because of its carelessness, partly because of its chief executive's tin ear.

The New York Times

When the chalk is broken and trampled because of the carelessness of his temporary replacement, you feel an almost sickening sense of waste.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "because of carelessness", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific actions or inactions constituted the lack of due care. For instance, instead of saying "The accident happened because of carelessness", specify "The accident happened because of carelessness in maintaining the equipment".

Common error

Avoid using "because of carelessness" without specifying who or what was careless. Provide context to clarify the source of the carelessness to make your writing more precise. Instead of saying "The project failed because of carelessness", specify "The project failed because of the team's carelessness in data entry".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "because of carelessness" functions as an adverbial phrase of cause, explaining the reason behind a particular event or situation. It indicates that the outcome is a direct consequence of a lack of attention or proper handling.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "because of carelessness" is a grammatically sound phrase that functions as a causal connector, explaining how a lack of attention or diligence led to a particular outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. While not exceedingly common, it is appropriate for various contexts, including news, science, and formal writing. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly specifies the source and nature of the carelessness to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "due to negligence" or "as a result of inattention" may offer a more formal tone in certain settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

due to negligence

Focuses specifically on the act of neglecting something, emphasizing a failure to take proper care.

as a result of inattention

Highlights the lack of attention as the cause, shifting the emphasis from general carelessness to a specific lack of focus.

through lack of attention

It is a more concise way of saying that something happened because someone was not paying attention.

owing to a lack of diligence

Emphasizes a deficiency in consistent effort and care.

attributable to oversight

Suggests that something was missed or not properly handled, implying a failure to supervise or manage effectively.

because of a slip-up

Implies a small, unintentional mistake that led to a problem.

caused by imprudence

Points to a lack of wisdom or caution in decision-making or action, suggesting a more active form of carelessness.

stemming from a lapse in judgment

Indicates a temporary failure in making sound decisions.

on account of recklessness

Highlights the reckless nature of the action, suggesting a disregard for potential consequences.

through a failure to take precautions

Focuses on the absence of necessary preventative measures, indicating a lack of foresight.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "because of carelessness" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "due to negligence", "as a result of inattention", or "owing to a lack of diligence". These options convey a similar meaning while maintaining a higher level of formality.

Is it correct to use "because of carelessness" in professional writing?

Yes, "because of carelessness" is acceptable in professional writing, but ensure the context is appropriate and the tone aligns with the document's formality. Using more precise alternatives like "due to negligence" or "as a result of inattention" can sometimes be preferable.

What is a subtle way to imply "because of carelessness" without directly stating it?

You can use phrases that imply a lack of due care without explicitly mentioning it, such as "due to an oversight", "resulting from a lapse in judgment", or "attributable to a failure to take precautions". These phrases soften the direct accusation while still conveying the meaning.

What are some common synonyms for "carelessness" that can replace "because of carelessness"?

Common synonyms include "negligence", "inattention", "oversight", "imprudence", and "recklessness". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.