negligent of

USAGE SUMMARY

"negligent of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that someone has failed to give proper attention or care to. For example, "The driver was negligent of the posted speed limit and got a speeding ticket."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

I was negligent of my responsibilities.

The New York Times

"We were many times negligent of using proper technique".

The New York Times

In "Einsamkeit," it seemed blithely negligent of his distress -- an image, rather, of the calm world he was railing against.

The New York Times - Arts

He is negligent of his old friends, rude, even dismissive, but he is not consciously or systematically cruel.

The New Yorker

A 1983 accreditation review called the museum negligent of its collection, and later reviews were even less flattering.

The New York Times

Although many Australians criticized Britain when the latter appeared negligent of local interests, the dominant note was profound loyalty to the empire.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Bishop Murphy is named in a civil suit filed by one of Mr. Geoghan's alleged victims, accusing the new Long Island bishop of negligent supervision of Mr. Geoghan.

The New York Times

Wuterich struck a deal with military prosecutors and pleaded guilty to one count of negligent dereliction of duty.

The Guardian

The NSA affair became a German election issue on Thursday when Social Democrat candidate Peer Steinbrück accused Angela Merkel of "negligent" treatment of the issue.

The Guardian

More than 1,700 residents of Flint, Michigan, have filed a class action lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency, accusing officials of "negligent" mismanagement of the city's drinking water crisis.

Huffington Post

The cultural narrative of the conflict is as a series of grossly negligent betrayals of heroic young men by the era's political and military establishment, he says.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "negligent of", ensure that the object of negligence is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example, "He was negligent of his duties" is clearer than simply saying "He was negligent."

Common error

Avoid using "negligent of" when an active voice construction would be more direct and impactful. Instead of "He was negligent of his responsibilities", consider "He neglected his responsibilities" for a more forceful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "negligent of" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of being careless or failing to fulfill a responsibility or duty. Ludwig shows that this phrase often appears when assessing someone's or something's failure to provide an adequate level of care or attention.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "negligent of" is a useful way to describe a lack of care or attention towards something. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and most commonly used in news and media, science, and encyclopedic contexts. While grammatically correct, it's important to clearly specify what is being neglected and consider if an active construction might be more impactful. Alternatives such as "careless of" or "remiss of" can provide similar meanings, depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neglectful of

Synonymous, emphasizing a habitual lack of attention.

remiss of

Implies a failure to fulfill a duty or responsibility.

careless of

Highlights a lack of caution or concern.

lax of

Suggests a relaxed or lenient approach, possibly leading to negligence.

inadvertent of

Indicates a lack of awareness or foresight.

forgetful of

Highlights a failure to remember or consider something important.

unmindful of

Emphasizes a lack of conscious attention or awareness.

oblivious to

Highlights a complete lack of awareness or attention.

inattentive to

Indicates a failure to pay attention or be observant.

disregardful of

Highlights a deliberate lack of consideration or respect.

FAQs

How can I use "negligent of" in a sentence?

You can use "negligent of" to describe someone who fails to give proper attention or care to something. For example, "The company was "negligent of" safety regulations".

What's the difference between "negligent of" and "neglectful of"?

While both phrases indicate a lack of care, "negligent of" often implies a specific instance of carelessness, whereas "neglectful of" suggests a more habitual lack of attention. In many contexts, you can use "neglectful of" as a close synonym.

What are some alternatives to saying "negligent of"?

You can use alternatives like "careless of", "remiss of", or "inattentive to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "negligent of" or "negligent in"?

While both can be grammatically correct, "negligent of" is generally used when referring to a duty or responsibility, whereas "negligent in" is often used when describing an action or task. Thus, "negligent of his duties" and "negligent in performing the task" would be appropriate.