more careless than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more careless than" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used to compare two things or actions in terms of carelessness. Example: Sarah was more careless than her sister, often forgetting important dates and leaving her belongings everywhere. In this sentence, "more careless than" is used to compare Sarah's level of carelessness to her sister's.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

That made them only marginally more careless than the Mountaineers (19-2, 5-2), who had 23.

The New York Times - Sports

But it is hard to disagree with the author's conclusion that it was more careless than it should have been.

The Guardian - Books

Mr. Thalheimer offers a nonjudgmental "Lulu," with a heroine who is more careless than seductive, and men and women who are neither good nor bad, strong nor weak.

The New York Times

Although artists here are even more careless than politicians about tossing off blithe references to Nazism, no one in the public debate yet suggests that Mr. Haider's party would crack down on anyone he disliked -- or even cut the generous government subsidies that Austrian gives artists.

The New York Times - Arts

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Vice

As far as we know, American citizenship doesn't automatically immunize us to the effects of toxic chemicals, so why is our government so much more careless than our neighbors up north?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

One fear, prevalent in Britain after incidents in which officials lost huge quantities of confidential personal information, is that the state may be even more careless with data than private firms are.

The Economist

The night air was chilled not cold, more like a drink with three respectable crackling ice cubes than the Arctic beverages more careless waiters bring filled with more ice than water.

Princeton University

But it may also be that investors are more careless about choosing hedge funds than they should be.

The Economist

For those whom he deceived, Philby had to be made into a grandmaster of duplicity, a great and terrible genius; if he were anything less, they would seem even more careless, gullible and plain stupid than they were.

The Guardian - Books

He worried that the careful and frugal tended to marry late in life and to have fewer children than the more careless and irresponsible members of the population.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more careless than", ensure the comparison is clear and specific. Avoid vague comparisons that leave the reader unsure of what is being compared.

Common error

Avoid using "more careless than" without a clear point of comparison. Ensure the reader understands what is being compared and why one is considered "more careless" than the other.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more careless than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to compare the degree of carelessness between two subjects. Ludwig examples show its usage in comparing people, actions, or even governmental policies.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more careless than" is a grammatically correct comparative adjective phrase used to indicate a greater degree of negligence or lack of attention between two subjects. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase functions to provide a relative assessment of carelessness, serving to criticize, compare, or contrast different situations. Predominantly found in "News & Media", it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts, from formal analyses to casual commentary. While examples are relatively uncommon, understanding its proper usage enhances precision in expressing comparative negligence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more negligent than

Emphasizes a failure to exercise the expected degree of care.

more irresponsible than

Stresses a failure to fulfill duties or obligations, highlighting a lack of accountability.

more reckless than

Highlights a disregard for danger or consequences, carrying a stronger sense of irresponsibility.

more inattentive than

Focuses on a lack of attention or focus, suggesting oversight.

more thoughtless than

Implies a lack of consideration for others or the potential consequences of actions.

more imprudent than

Indicates a lack of wisdom or foresight, suggesting poor judgement.

more remiss than

Suggests a neglect of duty or obligation, often carrying a formal or bureaucratic tone.

more lax than

Focuses on a lack of strictness or rigor, implying a permissive attitude.

more forgetful than

Highlights the tendency to forget things, suggesting a lack of mindfulness.

more slipshod than

Indicates a lack of care or attention to detail, suggesting carelessness in execution.

FAQs

How can I use "more careless than" in a sentence?

Use "more careless than" to compare two subjects in terms of their level of negligence or lack of attention. For example, "He was "more careless than" his brother when it came to handling fragile items."

What's the difference between "more careless than" and "more reckless than"?

"More careless than" implies a lack of attention or caution, while "more reckless than" suggests a deliberate disregard for danger or consequences. Recklessness is a more extreme form of carelessness.

Is it grammatically correct to say "more careless than"?

Yes, "more careless than" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard comparative form for adjectives in English.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase ""more careless than""?

Alternatives include "more negligent than", "more inattentive than", or "more imprudent than", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.