inattentive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inattentive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is not paying attention or is careless in their focus or awareness. Example: "The teacher noticed that several students were inattentive during the lecture, which affected their understanding of the material."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Though the inattentive viewer might have thought they had stumbled upon a teatime game show, it quickly became clear why the leaders and particularly David Cameron signed up to this format.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the cumulative message is weakness.Second, Mr Obama has been an inattentive friend.

The Economist

Those who deal with him hint that, despite slightly better health of late, he is still inattentive and ill-informed.

The Economist

But a shambolic and inattentive European policy on pipelines and energy dependence in recent years has left policymakers in Washington feeling that they are wasting their time.

The Economist

But it looks oddly inattentive to have woken up to this only after nearly five years in office.Given all this, there is a chance of a surprise second round.

The Economist

There were constant moans about inattentive service and gruff, concise criticism of the cooking: "Beef tough; potatoes cold".With the coming of the railways, hotel dining rooms became a repository of fine food, and in 1890 Auguste Escoffier, perhaps the most famous French chef of all, took over the kitchens at the swish Savoy.

The Economist

In 1953, for example, the Garden State Parkway in New Jersey was fitted with the first rumble strips, which are bits of corrugated concrete that alert an inattentive driver with a rattle and a hum if his vehicle starts to drift off the carriageway while he is, say, paying too much attention to the radio.These days, though, there is more than just his favourite DJ to distract a driver.

The Economist

Attentive voters would never imagine that the big "DONATE" icon at the bottom is soliciting funds to support Mr Tierney.In this section Saudi America Hell, maybe How to date a supermodel The law's delay Killing the golden goose Countertop corruption Of pensioners and pork ReprintsBut what of inattentive voters?

The Economist

Sadly, it is far more common in Latin American schools to see inattentive children talk among themselves while a teacher writes on the blackboard.

The Economist

The authors observe that the tendency to hire CEOs who have done well elsewhere is most common among firms "with busy and inattentive boards".Some outside hires succeed.

The Economist

His Labour predecessors, smiling wryly, could have foreseen the results: promising reforms stalled while unfinished ideas, such as the NHS plan, were casually signed through by an inattentive Downing Street.The lesson was learned.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "inattentive", be specific about the context. For example, instead of saying "He's inattentive", specify "He's inattentive during meetings".

Common error

Avoid assuming that someone who is "inattentive" in one situation is always "inattentive" in all situations. Inattentiveness can be situational and influenced by various factors.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "inattentive" primarily functions to describe a quality or characteristic of a noun, indicating a lack of attention or focus. Ludwig AI examples showcase its use in various contexts, describing people, services, or even abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

21%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Unknown

21%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "inattentive" is a versatile term used to describe a lack of attention or focus. As Ludwig AI indicates, the word is grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific literature. While alternatives like "distracted" or "careless" exist, "inattentive" provides a direct and widely understood way to express a state of not paying attention. When using the word, it's best to provide context to specify the scope of inattentiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distracted

Focuses on the diversion of attention, rather than the lack of it.

negligent

Emphasizes a failure to fulfill a duty or responsibility.

absent-minded

Highlights a preoccupation with one's own thoughts, leading to a lack of awareness.

careless

Indicates a lack of caution or thoroughness.

unfocused

Directly describes a lack of concentration.

heedless

Suggests a disregard for potential consequences.

unobservant

Highlights a failure to notice important details.

remiss

Indicates a lapse in duty or attention, often implying blame.

slack

Implies a lack of diligence or effort.

preoccupied

Suggests that someone's thoughts are elsewhere, causing them to miss what's happening around them.

FAQs

How to use "inattentive" in a sentence?

You can use "inattentive" to describe someone who is not paying attention or is neglectful. For example, "The student was "inattentive" during the lecture and missed important details."

What can I say instead of "inattentive"?

You can use alternatives like "distracted", "careless", or "negligent" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Which is correct, "inattentive to" or "inattentive of"?

"Inattentive to" is the more common and grammatically preferred construction. "Inattentive of" is less frequent and can sound awkward to some speakers.

What's the difference between "inattentive" and "distracted"?

"Inattentive" implies a general lack of attention or care, while "distracted" suggests that attention has been diverted elsewhere. Someone "inattentive" may simply not be paying attention, while someone "distracted" is having their attention pulled away.