dereliction of which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dereliction of which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in formal contexts, particularly in legal or academic writing, to refer to a failure to fulfill a duty or obligation. Example: "The committee addressed the dereliction of which the members were accused, emphasizing the importance of accountability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Distressing as this is, at times it possesses an unduly mediated quality, lending an unfortunate cosiness that contrasts with harder edged, real-life accounts of dereliction (of which John Healy's The Grass Arena remains the classic).

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The charge of cowardice was later reduced to dereliction of duty, which carried a possible sentence of six months' confinement.

The New York Times

In their suit, producers claim her departure amounted to a dereliction of duties which led to production delays on the movie.

The Guardian - Film

Or you can put up and shut up, a blatant dereliction of duty which becomes increasingly appealing but is inevitably tinged with guilt.

The Guardian

But he came to prominence with his 1997 book, "Dereliction of Duty," which critiqued the Joint Chiefs for not standing up to President Lyndon B. Johnson during the Vietnam War.

The New York Times

In "Dereliction of Duty," which grew out of the author's doctoral dissertation in history, McMaster accuses the Joint Chiefs of Staff who served Johnson of failing to provide the president and Congress with honest advice on national security and insufficiently challenging the administration's flawed strategy in Vietnam.

The Washington Post

A key part of McMaster's résumé is his 1997 book, "Dereliction of Duty," which highlighted the failure of military leaders to give candid advice to the president in the lead-up to the Vietnam War and sets a high bar for advisers to the president.

The Washington Post

In their suit, filed in US federal court on Monday, producers claim actions taken by the critically acclaimed director of Morvern Callar and We Need to Talk About Kevin amounted to a dereliction of duties which led to production delays on the movie.

The Guardian - Film

It was easy to see why Trump had settled on McMaster, who had an impeccable reputation as a warrior-intellectual: in addition to excelling in combat, he had written a Ph.D. dissertation that became a landmark book, "Dereliction of Duty," which was published in 1997.

The New Yorker

As a young officer, he came to prominence when he criticized the Joint Chiefs of Staff over their actions in the Vietnam War in his 1997 book "Dereliction of Duty" — which is currently at the top of Amazon's best-seller list.

Vice

The Pentagon misled President Lyndon B. Johnson about the effects of escalating the Vietnam War, a pattern of devastating bureaucratic misdirection that McMaster studied for his doctoral thesis and was the subject of his 1997 book, "Dereliction of Duty," which became a bestseller last year after he joined the White House.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider whether a simpler term like "failure" or "neglect" might be more effective for clarity, especially in less formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "dereliction of which" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formality can sound pretentious or out of place in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dereliction of which" functions as a relative clause, typically used to introduce additional information about a preceding noun phrase that represents a neglected duty. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "dereliction of which" is a grammatically sound but relatively uncommon construction used to specify a neglected duty or responsibility. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct. While found in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, its formal tone makes it best suited for academic, legal, or official contexts. For more accessible alternatives, consider using "failure of which" or "neglect of which". Overall, while correct, it's crucial to assess the audience and context to ensure the phrase's formality aligns with the writing's overall tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failure of which

Replaces "dereliction" with the more common and straightforward term "failure".

neglect of which

Substitutes "dereliction" with "neglect", implying a less deliberate oversight.

abandonment of which

Emphasizes the act of forsaking a responsibility.

omission of which

Highlights the act of leaving something undone or unfulfilled.

breach of which

Indicates a violation or breaking of a duty or obligation.

violation of which

Similar to "breach", but may imply a more severe or intentional act.

lapse in which

Suggests a temporary failure or error in performing a duty.

default of which

Implies a failure to meet an obligation or expectation.

dereliction whereof

A more archaic and formal synonym, maintaining a similar structure but sounding more old-fashioned.

neglectfulness of which

Transforms dereliction into a characteristic, emphasizing the negligent nature of the act.

FAQs

How can I use "dereliction of which" in a sentence?

You can use "dereliction of which" to refer to a specific failure or neglect of duty, as in: "The investigation focused on the "dereliction of duty", the consequences of which were severe."

What are some alternatives to "dereliction of which"?

Alternatives include "failure of which", "neglect of which", or "breach of which", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "dereliction of which" formal or informal?

"Dereliction of which" is quite formal. Simpler phrases like "failure of which" are more suitable for informal contexts.

What does "dereliction" mean?

"Dereliction" refers to the act of neglecting or abandoning a duty or responsibility.