neglect

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'neglect' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a lack of attention or care given to something. For example: The child's parents neglected his educational needs, leading to significant behavioral problems.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When a child dies of neglect or abuse, the local authority is accused of incompetence and negligence; if there is an outbreak of foot and mouth disease, claims about inadequate precautions are heard; former employees of companies which have collapsed during the recession demand to know why more has not been done to save their jobs.

The Guardian - Opinion

By this I mean profound ignorance of the formation of the brain in early years and the effects of neglect and trauma.

The Guardian

Network Rail is scarred by courtroom verdicts of neglect and breaches of health and safety after it allowed crossings to remain open even though the risks were apparent, and shoulders blame for the deaths of Olivia Bazlinton, 14, and Charlotte Thompson, 13, at Elsenham in 2005.

The Guardian

For all their air of tweedy conservatism, the quintessentially modern political phenomenon might be Ukip In our dealings with the wider world, Marquand puts a neglect of history and past experience at the heart of two ongoing calamities: an increasingly troubled relationship with the rest of Europe, and all those misadventures in the Middle East.

The Guardian - Opinion

For patients who are sectioned the low staffing levels are presenting another problem, which I believe amounts to an institutional neglect.

The Guardian

At one stage he said that whenever he criticised his Conservative colleagues in the House of Lords – about, for instance, the commercialisation of the National Health Service, the neglect of housebuilding or light-touch regulation of the financial system – they were always  able to retort that New Labour had started it.

The Guardian

The cotton mills, on which Mumbai's original fame and fortunes were built, had been killed off by the prolonged strike of 1982 (and chronic neglect by their owners).

The Guardian

The evidence that confirms the neglect of adolescent girls in policy and development practice is clear, considerable, and pretty damning (pdf).

The Guardian

Two inquest verdicts have found that neglect contributed to detainees' deaths and one inquest returned a verdict of unlawful killing of a detainee.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was only sporadically inhabited and had grown grimy with neglect.

The Guardian - Books

In March, David Cameron, the prime minister, announced that social workers could face a charge of wilful neglect and up to five years in prison for failing to protect children from abuse.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "neglect", be specific about what is being neglected. Clarity enhances the impact of your statement. For example, specify "neglect of infrastructure" rather than just "neglect".

Common error

Avoid using "neglect" interchangeably with "negligence". "Neglect" refers to the act of failing to care for something, while "negligence" is a legal term referring to a breach of duty of care that results in damage or injury.

Linguistic Context

The word "neglect" functions as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to the state of being uncared for or the act of neglecting. As a verb, it describes the action of failing to care for or attend to something. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "neglect" is a versatile term functioning as both a noun and a verb, widely employed to describe a lack of care or attention. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is grammatically sound and suitable for use in diverse contexts. While "neglect" can be used neutrally, it often carries a negative connotation, indicating concern over the consequences of this lack of care. Distinguishing it from "negligence", which is a legal term, is crucial for accurate communication. The word appears frequently in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. Be sure to specify what is being neglected to maximize the clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of care

Focuses on the absence of necessary attention and concern.

failure to attend

Emphasizes the omission of required presence or action.

oversight

Highlights an unintentional failure to notice or address something.

omission

Stresses the act of leaving something out, either intentionally or unintentionally.

disregard

Indicates a conscious decision to ignore or pay no attention to something.

dereliction of duty

Specifically refers to the abandonment or failure to fulfill one's responsibilities.

nonchalance

Implies a casual lack of concern or interest.

inattention

Highlights a lack of focus or attentiveness.

heedlessness

Suggests a failure to pay attention to potential consequences or risks.

abandonment

Focuses on completely leaving or ceasing to support or look after someone or something.

FAQs

How can I use "neglect" in a sentence?

You can use "neglect" to describe a failure to care for something, as in, "The city suffered from years of governmental "neglect"." or "The parents were charged with "neglect" for not providing adequate care for their child."

What are some synonyms for "neglect"?

Some synonyms for "neglect" include "disregard", "oversight", "omission", and "lack of care". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "neglect" and "negligence"?

"Neglect" generally refers to a lack of attention or care, while "negligence" is a legal term that implies a failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in similar circumstances. "Negligence" often has legal consequences.

How does institutional "neglect" impact individuals?

Institutional "neglect" refers to systemic failures within an organization to provide adequate care or resources. This can lead to serious harm, such as "medical neglect" in hospitals or "child neglect" in social services.