grossly careless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grossly careless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or behaviors that are extremely negligent or lacking in attention to detail. Example: "The contractor's grossly careless approach to safety regulations led to several accidents on the job site."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

One independent film archivist says that Paramount "horribly mishandled" the negatives for the first two "Godfather" films, not just by making so many prints but also by moving the job among several printing labs, some of which were "grossly careless".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Approaching, attempting conversation, sitting next to, introducing to others, etc. as if the person is any different is not only ignorant, it is grossly disrespectful, and expresses a careless disregard for the other person's feelings.

WikiHow

Chief Justice Roberts, who was joined by Justices Antonin Scalia, Anthony M. Kennedy, Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito Jr., said the exclusionary rule was unlikely to deter isolated careless record keeping and should be reserved for "deliberate, reckless or grossly negligent conduct, or in some circumstances recurring systemic negligence".

The New York Times

Careless turnovers.

The New York Times - Sports

Careless fumbles.

The New York Times - Sports

Grossly unlikely.

The New Yorker

No. Careless?

The Guardian - Sport

He was careless.

The New York Times

They're careless.

The New York Times

Carefree, not careless.

The New York Times

He makes careless mistakes.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grossly careless" to describe actions that not only show a lack of care but also have significant negative consequences. Ensure the context supports the strong negative connotation.

Common error

Avoid using "grossly careless" in situations where simple carelessness is sufficient. This phrase implies a severe level of negligence that warrants significant attention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grossly careless" functions as an adjective phrase, where "grossly" modifies the adjective "careless", intensifying its meaning. This intensifier amplifies the degree of negligence or lack of attention.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grossly careless" is a phrase used to describe an extreme lack of care or attention, often with serious consequences. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct, although examples are rare. It is most frequently found in news and media, as well as wiki articles. To convey similar meanings, consider using alternatives like "extremely negligent" or "utterly reckless". When writing, ensure the context warrants the strong negative connotation implied by "grossly careless".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely negligent

Emphasizes the severe degree of negligence involved.

highly irresponsible

Focuses on the lack of responsibility in the action.

utterly reckless

Highlights the complete disregard for potential consequences.

seriously negligent

Indicates a significant level of negligence.

criminally negligent

Suggests the negligence is severe enough to warrant legal consequences.

flagrantly negligent

Implies an obvious and shocking disregard.

patently careless

Highlights how obvious the carelessness is.

egregiously careless

Emphasizes the exceptional nature of the carelessness.

woefully negligent

Expresses sorrow or regret about the negligence.

shamefully negligent

Adds a sense of disgrace or embarrassment to the negligence.

FAQs

What does "grossly careless" mean?

The phrase "grossly careless" describes actions or behaviors that are extremely negligent, irresponsible, or lacking in attention to detail, often leading to significant negative consequences.

How can I use "grossly careless" in a sentence?

You might say, "The company's "extremely negligent" safety practices demonstrated a grossly careless disregard for employee well-being."

Are there synonyms for "grossly careless"?

Yes, you can use phrases such as "highly irresponsible", "utterly reckless", or "criminally negligent" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "grossly careless" a formal or informal phrase?

"Grossly careless" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is often found in legal, journalistic, and professional settings due to its strong and critical tone. However, "highly irresponsible" can be used in less formal scenarios.