careless of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "careless of" is not correct and is not usually used in written English.
If you want to communicate carelessness in a sentence, you could use a phrase such as "without regard for" or "indifferent to". For example: "He drove recklessly, without regard for the safety of other drivers."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Hollywood was careless of her talent.

The Economist

Careless of everything but cricket.

The Guardian - Film

Careless of everything but their petty obsessions.

The Guardian - Film

Careless of all that,Its foot-high grace enhancesAny habitat.

The New Yorker

They are careless of causing inconvenience or embarrassment.

The Guardian

Elizabeth was small and slim, but also headstrong, and careless of her looks.

The New Yorker

How careless of her to prop up this ugly and damaging fallacy.

The New York Times

This was how Hana lived her life — flamboyantly on display, careless of who might be watching.

The New Yorker

He is careless of composition, often dumping figures into the pictorial rectangle almost at random.

The New Yorker

I cannot be with a man who is so careless of his health".

The New York Times

Göth was careless, of course, because he believed assur­ances that no witnesses would remain.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "careless of" is frequently used, consider using more grammatically accepted alternatives such as "without regard for" or "indifferent to" to enhance clarity and correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "careless of" in formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "without regard for" or "indifferent to" to maintain grammatical accuracy and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "careless of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a lack of care, attention, or concern toward something. However, Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically incorrect. Examples from Ludwig show its usage across various contexts, despite its disputed grammatical status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Encyclopedias

9%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "careless of" is frequently used across various sources, particularly in news and media. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect, suggesting the use of alternative phrases like "without regard for" or "indifferent to" for enhanced grammatical accuracy. While prevalent, especially in neutral registers, it's advisable to opt for grammatically sound alternatives in formal writing to maintain clarity and professionalism. The frequency and source diversity indicate common usage, yet the grammatical concern impacts its overall authoritative recommendation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without regard for

Emphasizes a lack of consideration or attention towards something.

indifferent to

Highlights a lack of interest or concern about something.

unconcerned about

Focuses on a lack of worry or anxiety about something.

oblivious to

Stresses a lack of awareness or perception of something.

heedless of

Indicates a failure to pay attention to or consider something.

disregardful of

Highlights a deliberate lack of attention or respect towards something.

negligent of

Focuses on a failure to take proper care or attention towards something.

inattentive to

Emphasizes a lack of attentiveness or focus on something.

unmindful of

Highlights a lack of consciousness or awareness of something.

insensitive to

Indicates a lack of sensitivity or consideration for something.

FAQs

What does "careless of" mean?

While not considered grammatically correct, "careless of" is used to describe someone who is not paying attention to or is not concerned about something. Consider using phrases like "without regard for" or "indifferent to" instead.

Is "careless of" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "careless of" is considered grammatically incorrect in modern English. It is better to use alternatives such as "without regard for".

What can I say instead of "careless of"?

You can use alternatives like "without regard for", "indifferent to", or "unconcerned about" depending on the context.

When should I avoid using "careless of"?

Avoid using "careless of" in formal writing or academic papers. It's safer to use alternatives like "without regard for" or "indifferent to" in such contexts.