haphazardly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'haphazardly' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adverb that means to do something without planning or taking care. Example sentence: She haphazardly packed her belongings and left the house without saying goodbye.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Translations of the Rougon-Macquart series appeared slowly and haphazardly.

The Guardian - Books

He doesn't so much eat food as haphazardly pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey it into his face.

The Guardian

Or, rather than haphazardly dousing your pancakes in alcohol, get the shot glasses out and blow the dust off some of the weirder spirits loitering at the back of your drinks cabinet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As voters came in, the volunteers crossed their names off pre-programmed lists; the remaining names went to a central site in the state, so that likely Republican voters who had not yet come to the polls could be contacted.The students sneered at the effort by Kerry supporters to do the same more haphazardly.

The Economist

The chancellor's stop-go habit meant that reforms were not only poorly sold, but haphazardly implemented and badly timed taking effect as recession hit.

The Economist

Information streams through it at the speed of light, newfangled jargon swirls around it and the whole mess is governed haphazardly, if at all.

The Economist

She undertook no brilliant initiatives, managed her department haphazardly, and was not a brilliant legal mind.

The Economist

Commercial robot makers such as Tmsuk, based in south-western Japan, say they were shut out too.Even after March 11th, decisions on which rescue robots to use have been made haphazardly.

The Economist

Other places on the institute's list included La Oroya, Peru, where poorly managed effluent from 80 years of mining and smelting has left local children with three times more lead in their blood than the World Health Organisation's recommended maximum; and Dzerzhinsk, Russia, where 300,000 tonnes of chemical waste were disposed of haphazardly, mostly in Soviet times.

The Economist

In parts of the south-east, most voters were too frightened to vote, because of battles between rival militias, but the ruling party nonetheless won huge majorities in supposed turn-outs of over 90%.All the major parties rigged, but the poll was so haphazardly organised that it was often hard to know who was behind any given act of skulduggery.

The Economist

This is because the information associated with bar codes that retailers and suppliers rely upon to identify the goods they want to order and invoice has developed haphazardly.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process, consider using synonyms like "randomly" or "unsystematically" if they more accurately reflect the specific type of disorganization.

Common error

Avoid using "haphazardly" when you intend to convey complete randomness. While it implies a lack of planning, it doesn't necessarily mean the action is entirely without cause or influence. In cases of complete randomness, "randomly" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The word "haphazardly" functions primarily as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. It describes the manner in which an action is performed, indicating a lack of planning, order, or care. According to Ludwig, its usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "haphazardly" is a versatile adverb that describes actions lacking planning, organization, or direction. As highlighted by Ludwig, its usage is grammatically sound and commonly found across diverse contexts. It is predominantly employed in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific writing, as seen in The Economist, and the Encyclopedia Britannica. When using "haphazardly", consider synonyms like "randomly" or "carelessly" to fine-tune the intended meaning. Remember that "haphazardly" does not necessarily equate to complete randomness but rather suggests a lack of a clear plan or method.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

randomly

Emphasizes the lack of a predictable pattern, focusing on chance.

carelessly

Highlights the lack of attention or diligence in the action.

aimlessly

Suggests a lack of direction or purpose in the activity.

chaotically

Focuses on the disordered and confused nature of the action.

unsystematically

Underscores the absence of a structured or methodical approach.

arbitrarily

Emphasizes a decision made without reason or system.

indiscriminately

Highlights a lack of selection or distinction in the action.

erratically

Suggests unpredictable and inconsistent behavior or movement.

negligently

Focuses on the failure to exercise the expected standard of care.

in a slipshod manner

Implies a careless and poorly executed approach.

FAQs

How can I use "haphazardly" in a sentence?

Use "haphazardly" to describe actions done in a disorganized or unplanned way. For instance, "The documents were filed "haphazardly", making it difficult to find anything."

What are some synonyms for "haphazardly"?

Alternatives include "randomly", "carelessly", or "chaotically". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something was done "haphazardly"?

Yes, it's correct. "Haphazardly" is an adverb that describes how something is done. Ludwig AI confirms that the usage of "haphazardly" is grammatically correct.

What's the difference between "haphazardly" and "randomly"?

"Haphazardly" implies a lack of planning or organization, while "randomly" suggests a lack of pattern or predictability. Something done "haphazardly" might still have some underlying cause, whereas something done "randomly" is purely by chance.