neglecting to take

USAGE SUMMARY

"neglecting to take" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone not doing something they were supposed to do, or failing to take a necessary action. Example: "The patient's condition worsened due to neglecting to take their prescribed medication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Class Acts Young students are notorious for neglecting to take things to school: homework, lunches, texts.

The New York Times - Arts

Being distraught or distracted and forgetting or neglecting to take pills for chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease can have immediate harmful effects.

The New York Times

A continuing medical challenge is helping people avoid a variety of common pitfalls: ignoring key symptoms, deferring recommended tests, or neglecting to take medications as prescribed.

Harvard University

Her immediate predecessor, James Billington (served 1987–2015), was harshly criticized for neglecting to take the measures necessary to modernize the Library of Congress.

Encyclopedia Britannica

No one knows for certain, and in the race to excavate the works before looters could attack, local archaeologists cleared the site in ten days, neglecting to take stratigraphic surveys or a complete photographic record of the pit.

The Economist

Clive James, in an elegant broadcast last Sunday, contrasted such behaviour with that of a snooker player – or, more precisely, every snooker player – who would cut off his right cue before neglecting to take responsibility for an error.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

But she neglected to take careful measurements.

The New York Times

I neglected to take a photo prior to delivery, unfortunately.

Columbia University

Some mornings, rushing, she neglected to take her pills.

The New York Times

However, you neglected to take into consideration the first sentence itself.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Second, some people will neglect to take their medications even if co-pays are zero.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "neglecting to take", ensure the context clearly indicates the negative consequences of the omission, emphasizing why the action was important. For example, "Neglecting to take safety precautions led to an accident."

Common error

Avoid using "neglecting to take" when a passive construction is more appropriate. For instance, instead of "He was neglecting to take advice", consider "Advice was neglected by him" if the focus is on the advice itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "neglecting to take" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun. It often serves as the subject or part of the predicate in a sentence, describing the act of failing to perform a required or expected action. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "neglecting to take" is a grammatically sound and frequently used gerund phrase that highlights the omission of a necessary action or consideration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted in written English. It commonly appears in news articles, academic papers, and scientific publications, indicating a neutral register and a broad applicability. Related phrases include "failing to take" and "omitting to take", offering slight variations in emphasis. When using "neglecting to take", ensure the context highlights the negative consequences of the omission for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failing to take

Emphasizes the lack of action or omission, similar to neglecting.

omitting to take

Highlights the act of leaving something out, akin to neglecting a step or action.

forgetting to take

Focuses on the unintentional oversight, suggesting a lack of memory or attention.

overlooking the need to take

Stresses a lack of awareness or attention to the necessity of an action.

disregarding the need to take

Highlights a conscious decision to ignore or dismiss the importance of something.

not bothering to take

Suggests a lack of motivation or effort in performing an action.

avoiding taking

Implies a deliberate attempt to evade or steer clear of a particular action.

shirking the responsibility to take

Highlights the evasion of a duty or obligation.

being remiss in taking

Indicates negligence or carelessness in fulfilling a duty.

defaulting on taking

Emphasizes the failure to fulfill an expected action or obligation.

FAQs

What does "neglecting to take" mean?

The phrase "neglecting to take" means failing to perform a necessary action or consider an important factor. It implies a lack of attention, care, or responsibility, often with negative consequences.

How can I use "neglecting to take" in a sentence?

You can use "neglecting to take" to describe a failure to perform an action, such as "neglecting to take medication" or "neglecting to take precautions".

What can I say instead of "neglecting to take"?

You can use alternatives like "failing to take", "omitting to take", or "forgetting to take" depending on the context.

Is "neglecting to take" the same as "refusing to take"?

No, "neglecting to take" implies an oversight or lack of diligence, while "refusing to take" suggests a deliberate choice not to act. The first implies a mistake, while the second implies a decision.