less careful

USAGE SUMMARY

"less careful" is a grammatically correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
It is used to describe someone or something that is not as cautious or attentive as they should be. Example: He drove less carefully at night because of his poor eyesight. In this sentence, "less carefully" describes the level of caution in the person's driving due to their poor eyesight. It implies that they should be more careful, but they are not.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was less careful, however, about dosage.

The New York Times

To be any less careful is to dishonor his memory.

The Washington Post

Others have been less careful with their words.

The Guardian - Sport

"If you have fire insurance, you'll be less careful about smoking on the couch".

The New York Times

But then things were going well, so I started being less careful.

Independent

But I can't help wondering if the proliferation of collision-avoidance technology might also breed less careful drivers.

MIT Technology Review

Reem, whose speed in rolling and shaping her dough doesn't compromise her perfectionism, remonstrates with a less careful colleague.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Then, and only then, she led trumps, emerging with 11 tricks when a less careful player would have made 9.

The New York Times

Compared with the academic approaches, ours is quick and dirty, although I don't think it's any less careful.

MIT Technology Review

Another, less careful space agency from another country might manage to bring rocks back to Earth before NASA did.

The New York Times

She thought this would make her father stop, but he was simply less careful and she became pregnant.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing levels of care, ensure the context is clear. For example, "He was "less careful" with his words compared to his actions."

Common error

Avoid using "less careful" to describe things that cannot be quantified. For instance, instead of saying "He showed less careful respect", opt for "He showed less respect" or "He was less respectful".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "less careful" is to act as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun by indicating a lower degree of caution or attentiveness compared to a previous state or another entity. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is used to describe when someone is "not as cautious or attentive as they should be".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

19%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less careful" functions as a comparative adjective, commonly used across various contexts, especially in News & Media. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, noting its use to describe a reduced level of caution or attentiveness. While synonyms like ""less cautious"" and ""more reckless"" exist, the choice depends on the desired nuance. When using "less careful", ensure clear context and avoid misapplication with uncountable nouns. With a high expert rating and frequent appearance in authoritative sources, "less careful" is a versatile and widely accepted phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less cautious

Highlights a reduced level of wariness or concern about potential dangers or problems.

less diligent

Focuses on a reduced level of effort and conscientiousness.

not so meticulous

Indicates a decrease in precision and attention to detail.

less thorough

Emphasizes a lack of completeness or attention to detail.

not as attentive

Focuses on the diminished level of attention given to a particular task or situation.

more lax

Suggests a loosening of standards or a reduction in strictness.

more reckless

This alternative suggests a higher degree of risk-taking and disregard for potential consequences.

more imprudent

Implies a lack of wisdom or foresight in decision-making.

more slapdash

Suggests a hurried and careless approach.

more negligent

Implies a failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "less careful" in a sentence?

You can use "less careful" to describe a decrease in attentiveness or caution. For example, "After the medication, he became "less careful" about his diet".

What's a synonym for "less careful"?

Synonyms for "less careful" include "less cautious", "more reckless", or "more negligent". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less careful"?

Yes, "less careful" is grammatically correct. It's a comparative adjective phrase used to indicate a lower degree of caution or attentiveness.

What is the difference between "less careful" and "careless"?

"Less careful" indicates a reduced degree of caution, while "careless" implies a complete lack of care or attention. "Less careful" suggests a relative comparison, while "careless" is an absolute state.