heedless of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heedless of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is ignoring or not paying attention to something, often with a sense of carelessness. Example: "He continued to drive heedless of the warning signs along the road."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I did anything I wished, heedless of the consequences.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was heedless of danger and cool under pressure.

The New York Times - Books

They're heedless of the political economy risks of a weak initial response.

The Economist

This American culture is like a fat, drunk movie star," heedless of its effects on others.

The New York Times - Arts

Not that Indian and Chinese officials are heedless of the risks of nuclear energy.

The New York Times

The President committed to co-operating with or outwitting Stalin, heedless of the Prime Minister's discomfiture.

Independent

PUTTANESCA is a sauce that plies its trade all year round, heedless of the season.

The New York Times

Alessandro Sartori creates something very particular: refined yet agile, steeped in tradition yet heedless of it.

The New York Times

Heedless of trail etiquette, they walk by without a nod, not even looking up.

The New York Times

Heedless of protocol, Chinese horse mounts Japanese donkey and the advantage is lost.

The Economist

"Shias are trouble," she said, heedless of her mother sitting opposite her.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heedless of" to emphasize a deliberate or careless disregard for potential consequences or important factors. This phrase adds a stronger sense of negligence than simply saying someone is unaware.

Common error

Avoid using "heedless of" when simply describing a lack of awareness. The phrase implies a conscious or negligent disregard, not just a neutral absence of knowledge. Using "unaware of" or "unmindful of" might be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heedless of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate a lack of attention or care. It is frequently used to show a disregard for potential consequences or relevant information, as Ludwig's examples demonstrate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heedless of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to express a lack of attention or care, often with a negative connotation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent usage across various contexts. The phrase implies a deliberate disregard, making it stronger than simply stating a lack of awareness. While it appears frequently in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications, it's crucial to understand its implications of negligence and choose it judiciously. Remember to not confuse "heedless of" for alternatives like "unaware of" and "regardless of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unmindful of

Focuses on a lack of awareness or attention, similar to "heedless of".

oblivious to

Emphasizes a lack of perception or awareness of something.

disregarding

Highlights the act of intentionally ignoring or neglecting something.

ignoring

Implies a conscious choice to pay no attention to something.

inattentive to

Focuses on a lack of attention or care towards something.

careless of

Highlights a lack of concern or caution towards something.

regardless of

Indicates that something is not affected or influenced by something else.

without regard to

Similar to "regardless of", emphasizing a lack of consideration.

unconcerned about

Focuses on a lack of worry or interest in something.

paying no attention to

Directly states a lack of focus or consideration for something.

FAQs

How can I use "heedless of" in a sentence?

You can use "heedless of" to describe someone who is ignoring or not paying attention to something, often with a sense of carelessness. For example, "He continued to drive "heedless of" the warning signs along the road."

What are some alternatives to "heedless of"?

Some alternatives include "unmindful of", "oblivious to", or "disregarding", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "heedless of" or "regardless of"?

"Heedless of" implies a lack of attention or concern, while "regardless of" means something is not affected by something else. Use "heedless of" when someone ignores something important and "regardless of" when something remains the same despite something else.

What's the nuance between "heedless of" and "unaware of"?

"Heedless of" suggests a deliberate or careless disregard, whereas "unaware of" simply means someone lacks knowledge. "He was "heedless of" the danger" implies he ignored it, while "He was "unaware of" the danger" just means he didn't know about it.