careless comments

USAGE SUMMARY

"careless comments" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe remarks that are made without thought or attention, often leading to misunderstandings or offense. For example, "His careless comments during the meeting upset several team members." Alternative expressions include "thoughtless remarks" and "reckless statements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

And when Mr. Obama makes careless comments, saying, "If you've got a business, you didn't build that.

The New York Times

Increasingly those records, the most intimate people generate, are online and vulnerable to hacking as well as the careless comments of CEOs.

The Guardian

Her careless comments contribute to the impression that Supreme Court justices are just "politicians in robes".

Los Angeles Times

I put up with bad sex, with nonexistent sex, with careless comments about my lingerie.

Huffington Post

Silence helps us get through it, but it also means that any number of careless comments rub salt in the wound every day.

Huffington Post

While she's happy to have her children now, she still remembers how people's careless comments made her feel worse about a situation she "never wanted to be in".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

A "careless" comment, uttered by Franklin, ended it.

The New York Times - Magazine

In 1984, when he was fifteen, his father, who was also a butcher, was arrested by Saddam Hussein's security police for making some careless comment about the regime.

The New Yorker

The blog post says that Musk meant people who apologize for making a hurtful statement on one occasion should have their apology accepted if it's sincere, because "the counterpoint would be that a single careless comment should ruin a person's life and career, even if they truly regret their action and do their best to make amends.

TechCrunch

Whether it's prompted by a careless comment, a glimpse in the mirror, or just waking up feeling like crap, we've all been there.

Huffington Post

"A partner who is having a bad day and makes a careless comment, or who is tired and not interested in sex, puts my mind into a spin of questions, self-doubt and over-analysis".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "careless comments" specifically when you want to highlight that the negative impact of a statement was due to a lack of attention or forethought rather than deliberate malice.

Common error

Do not use "careless comments" to describe a calculated personal attack. The term implies a failure of filter or oversight, so using it for intentional cruelty can downplay the speaker's actual responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "careless comments" functions as a noun phrase typically serving as the direct object of a verb (e.g., "making careless comments") or the subject of a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it is structurally standard and grammatically valid.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Analysis from Ludwig reveals that "careless comments" is a precise and professional way to describe verbal negligence. While it occurs with moderate frequency in high-quality journalism, its usage is critical when distinguishing between a mistake and a malicious act. Ludwig AI highlights that this phrase often appears in contexts involving public figures, professional critiques and sensitive personal situations where a lack of forethought has caused unintended harm. Writers should use it to emphasize that the speaker failed to exercise proper judgment or caution before speaking.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thoughtless observations

Suggests a lack of mental effort or empathy toward others.

unconsidered statements

Focuses specifically on the lack of prior deliberation.

offhand remarks

Focuses on the spontaneity or lack of preparation behind the statement.

reckless statements

Emphasizes a dangerous disregard for the potential consequences.

flippant comments

Adds a layer of inappropriate levity or perceived disrespect.

unwary comments

Suggests the speaker was not sufficiently guarded or cautious.

indiscreet remarks

Highlights a failure to maintain privacy or exercise good judgment.

glib comments

Focuses on a shallow, superficial or insincere quality of the speech.

slipshod remarks

Implies a general lack of care in how the statement was constructed.

casual asides

Implies the comments were secondary and perhaps not intended for heavy scrutiny.

FAQs

How to use "careless comments" in a sentence?

You can use it as a noun phrase to describe remarks made without thought, such as: "The politician's "careless comments" regarding the economy led to a sharp drop in the polls."

What is the difference between "careless comments" and "thoughtless remarks"?

While very similar, "<a href="/s/thoughtless+remarks" target="_blank" rel="alternative">thoughtless remarks" focuses more on a lack of consideration for others' feelings, whereas "careless comments" often emphasizes a lack of precision or professional caution.

What can I say instead of "careless comments"?

Depending on the tone, you might use "<a href="/s/offhand+remarks" target="_blank" rel="alternative">offhand remarks", "<a href="/s/flippant+comments" target="_blank" rel="alternative">flippant comments" or "<a href="/s/reckless+statements" target="_blank" rel="alternative">reckless statements".

Is "careless comments" considered formal English?

Yes, it is a standard English phrase frequently found in professional contexts like The New York Times and The Guardian to report on public gaffes or interpersonal issues.