irresponsible

USAGE SUMMARY

"irresponsible" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who acts without considering the consequences or behaves carelessly. For example, "John's irresponsible behavior put his job in jeopardy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are seen as fetters on our freedom of action and finances, but doing little to moderate the behaviour of irresponsible states or to assist our wellbeing as a nation".

The Guardian

Drastic cuts in public spending any time soon, as proposed by several of these candidates, look wildly irresponsible given the headwinds the US economy is facing from abroad.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I think it would be a little irresponsible of an Australian government to order Australian personnel into this very dangerous situation if we didn't have effective risk mitigation strategies in place and at the moment there is no way of doing that".

The Guardian

He did, however, refer to "immature and irresponsible behaviour" by Shoraka when she threw paint at Downing Street's gates in 2004 while dressed as a judge.

The Guardian

The anger will be directed at sections of the media who conducted a reckless, irresponsible, politically motivated, groundless and downright venomous campaign against Heathfield, and against Arthur Scargill, as leaders of the National Union of Mineworkers.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Advertising Standards Authority said it had received 216 complaints with the general nature being that the ad is "offensive, irresponsible and harmful because it promotes an unhealthy body image".

The Guardian

Osborne said that SNP spending plans were irresponsible.

The Guardian

"We'll crack down on anyone who takes an irresponsible approach to roadworks without regard to the travel misery they can so often cause.

The Guardian

She won't really be drawn on whether the focus on the Welsh language has hampered Plaid's success in the Valleys ("Certainly the Welsh language has been used as a stick to beat Plaid Cymru with by our opponents, in a very dangerous way, actually, and an irresponsible way. I don't think that's acceptable"), nor on anti-English sentiment within the party.

The Guardian

David Cameron has waded into the row over Facebook's decision to allow a video of a beheading to appear on its site, branding it irresponsible and saying the social networking site should explain it to "worried parents".

The Guardian

Their conduct will appear to the future to be as economically irresponsible as the debasing of the Roman coinage.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Provide concrete examples to support your assertion that someone or something is "irresponsible". This adds credibility and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "irresponsible" as a general term of disapproval. Instead, identify the specific behavior or decision that lacks responsibility and explain its negative consequences. This makes your critique more constructive and impactful.

Linguistic Context

"Irresponsible" functions primarily as an adjective. It is used to describe a noun (person, action, or thing) as lacking a sense of responsibility. Ludwig shows that it is often used to express disapproval or criticism of someone's actions or behavior.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "irresponsible" is a commonly used adjective that describes a lack of responsibility or care. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and readily applicable in various contexts. It serves to express criticism or concern regarding actions that could lead to adverse outcomes. Alternative terms like "negligent", "reckless", and "careless" provide nuanced options for conveying specific types of irresponsibility. When using the word, specificity and concrete examples will enhance clarity, and to avoid overuse, consider context appropriate synonyms to ensure precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

negligent

Focuses on a failure to exercise the care expected of a reasonable person.

reckless

Highlights a disregard for danger or the consequences of one's actions.

careless

Emphasizes a lack of attention or thought, often resulting in mistakes.

thoughtless

Suggests a lack of consideration for the feelings or needs of others.

imprudent

Indicates a lack of wisdom or good judgment.

remiss

Implies a neglect of duty or obligation.

lax

Conveys a lack of strictness or diligence.

feckless

Suggests general incompetence and a lack of ambition.

derelict

Focuses on the abandonment of duty or responsibility.

unreliable

Points to a lack of dependability or trustworthiness.

FAQs

How can I use "irresponsible" in a sentence?

You can use "irresponsible" to describe actions or individuals that show a lack of care or consideration for consequences. For example, "His "irresponsible spending" led to financial difficulties."

What are some alternatives to the word "irresponsible"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "negligent", "reckless", or "careless" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "an irresponsible" or "a irresponsible"?

The correct usage is "an irresponsible" because "irresponsible" begins with a vowel sound.

What is the difference between "irresponsible" and "unaccountable"?

"Irresponsible" describes a lack of care or consideration, while "unaccountable" refers to a lack of obligation to answer for one's actions or decisions. Someone can be irresponsible without being unaccountable, and vice versa.