due care

USAGE SUMMARY

"due care" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to refer to the responsibility or obligation to exercise reasonable caution and attention in a particular situation. Example: The construction company failed to exercise due care in maintaining their equipment, resulting in several workplace accidents.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They did it with due care.

The Economist

Somewhere along the way they haven't exercised due care.

The New York Times

He was prosecuted for "driving without due care and attention".

Independent

In Britain there is a specific crime called driving without due care and attention.

The New York Times - Books

He admitted driving without due care and attention and was fined £91.

The Guardian

Turn right and follow this path, exercising due care as you circumnavigate the headland.

The Guardian - Travel

We ripped through it without due care and attention, quickly sampling everything in isolation.

The Guardian - Tech

But don't lift it without due care and the number of your osteopath ready to hand.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Powell was sure this could be done with all due care for immigrant welfare.

The Guardian - Opinion

Such a government would be incapable of killing its own citizens without due care, debate and open trial.

The Guardian - Opinion

An uncle says he places responsibility on General Sisi: the army should have given his nephew due care and protection.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "due care" in legal or formal contexts, clearly define what constitutes "due care" within that specific context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming everyone understands the specific actions or level of attention required to meet the standard of "due care". Always contextualize it with specific examples or requirements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "due care" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct and typically used in legal or formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

29%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "due care" is a common and grammatically correct phrase primarily used in formal contexts to denote the level of attention and responsibility required to avoid negligence or harm. Ludwig AI validates this, noting its prevalence in legal and formal settings. Its function is typically as a noun phrase, serving as the object in a sentence, while its purpose is to set a standard of conduct or assess whether that standard has been met. As highlighted by Ludwig, "due care" appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. Remember to contextualize "due care" within specific situations to ensure clarity. Related phrases include "reasonable caution" and "proper attention".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasonable caution

Focuses on the aspect of being sensible and appropriate in the level of care exercised.

proper attention

Highlights the act of giving sufficient focus and consideration to something.

necessary diligence

Emphasizes the need for persistent and careful effort to fulfill a duty.

prudent action

Implies acting with wisdom and foresight to avoid negative consequences.

appropriate precaution

Stresses the measures taken in advance to prevent harm or risk.

requisite responsibility

Highlights the level of accountability and obligation that is needed.

measured consideration

Focuses on careful and thoughtful deliberation.

careful management

Emphasizes the skillful handling and oversight of something to ensure its wellbeing.

thorough oversight

Highlights the comprehensive supervision and attention to detail.

mindful handling

Implies treating something with awareness and sensitivity.

FAQs

How is "due care" typically used in a sentence?

Typically, "due care" is used to describe the level of attention and caution a person should exercise in a given situation to avoid negligence or harm. For instance, "The company exercised "due diligence" during the acquisition process".

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "due care"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "reasonable caution", "proper attention", or "necessary diligence".

In legal terms, what does "due care" generally entail?

Legally, "due care" refers to the standard of conduct that a reasonably prudent person would exercise under the same circumstances. Failure to do so may result in liability for negligence.

Is there a difference between "due care" and ""due diligence""?

"Due care" is a general standard of reasonable caution, while ""due diligence"" is a more specific process of investigation and verification, often used in business and legal contexts to assess risks and responsibilities.