neglecting

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'neglecting' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who has failed to take proper care of something or someone. Example sentence: He was neglecting his duties as a father, always putting work before spending quality time with his children.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Unless dramatic measures are taken, and fast, Labour will continue to be punished for the strategic error of neglecting its machinery in Scotland and for taking voters for granted.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nicholas Hytner recently complained that the BBC was "neglecting the arts".

The Guardian - Opinion

Some games that parents consider harmless, like Farmville, encourage in-app purchases in order to progress in the game, and stories have circulated online about people becoming so obsessed with it that they're neglecting their children, or children have taken their parents' credit cards.

The Guardian - Tech

She accuses the prime minister of neglecting wise counsel (including, we presume, her own) and permitting a drift away from "commitment to the rule of law" and "international justice".

The Guardian - Opinion

Without action we will soon have a health system which fails to provide for patients and is fundamentally neglecting the interests of those that it is there to serve.

The Guardian

In this struggle, neither party can afford to be seen as neglecting the interests of the Polish people.

The Guardian - Opinion

Related: Anaemia epidemic: we are neglecting adolescent girls' nutrition So what's the best way to reach these girls, who may not be in school or visiting health clinics?

The Guardian

With the selective memory of a typical politician, Peter Mutharika argues that he will bring the good times back, conveniently neglecting to mention the precarious state of the economy at the time of his brother's death.

The Guardian

However, Emesu said the problem was not just lack of money, but parents neglecting their responsibilities.

The Guardian

When police stand accused of repressive behaviour in a number of spheres, while neglecting serious crimes including against women, it would be irresponsible to widen their powers.

The Guardian - Opinion

While no one is arguing against prioritising the nutrition of young children and mothers, neglecting adolescent girls doesn't just effect them but has long-term implications.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "neglecting", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being neglected and the potential consequences. Stronger verbs might be more appropriate depending on context.

Common error

Avoid using "neglecting" when a more forceful term like "abandoning" or "disregarding" is needed to accurately reflect the severity of the situation. The choice depends on the gravity and the implications.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "neglecting" is that of a present participle, often used as part of a continuous verb tense or as a gerund acting as a noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes an ongoing action of failing to care for something. Example: "They are neglecting their responsibilities."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "neglecting" is a versatile present participle that signifies a failure to properly care for or attend to something, as Ludwig AI states. It is most frequently encountered in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts, making it suitable for a wide array of writing styles. Alternatives like "disregarding" or "overlooking" offer nuanced substitutes, while common errors involve understating the severity of the situation. As a rule of thumb, always consider the consequences when using the term and choose alternatives accordingly. The word is grammatically correct and very common, confirming its place in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failing to care for

Directly states the lack of attention and responsibility towards something or someone.

disregarding duties

Specifically refers to the act of ignoring or failing to carry out one's responsibilities.

disregarding

Emphasizes a conscious decision to ignore or pay no attention to something, implying a deliberate oversight.

ignoring

Highlights a deliberate act of paying no attention to someone or something.

overlooking

Suggests a failure to notice something, often due to carelessness or being too focused on other things.

omitting

Focuses on leaving something out or failing to include it, suggesting neglect in terms of completeness or thoroughness.

forsaking

Implies a complete abandonment or renunciation of someone or something, suggesting a more profound level of neglect.

shirking responsibility

Highlights the avoidance of duty or obligation, specifically related to responsibility.

being remiss in

Indicates a failure to fulfill a duty or obligation, often due to carelessness or negligence.

slighting

Implies treating someone or something with disrespect or inattention, indicating a mild form of neglect.

FAQs

How can I use "neglecting" in a sentence?

You can use "neglecting" to describe a failure to properly care for or attend to something. For example, "He was "neglecting his duties"." or "She is "neglecting her health"".

What can I say instead of "neglecting"?

Alternatives to "neglecting" include "disregarding", "overlooking", or "ignoring", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "neglecting" and "ignoring"?

"Neglecting" implies a failure to care for something, while "ignoring" suggests a deliberate act of paying no attention. You might be "neglecting your health" due to a busy schedule, but you're "ignoring advice" if you consciously choose not to follow it.

Is it better to use "neglecting" or "failing to maintain"?

"Neglecting" is more concise and emphasizes the lack of attention, while "failing to maintain" is more explicit about the lack of upkeep. The best choice depends on the desired level of detail and the specific context.