patently irresponsible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "patently irresponsible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or decisions that are clearly and obviously reckless or lacking in responsibility. Example: "The decision to ignore safety protocols during the event was patently irresponsible and put everyone at risk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

To quit the country at this time would be patently irresponsible.

The Economist

I'm not saying that the cruise ship industry is patently irresponsible or doesn't take regulations seriously.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

China says it has a genuine need to stop the spread of irresponsible rumours, pointing to some of what authorities say are patently ridiculous things said online of late, including a story that a soup made from dead babies had gone on sale in Guangdong province.

The Guardian

Patently untrue.

The Guardian - Sport

Argentina patently.

The Guardian - Sport

Completely irresponsible".

Independent

Patently, that's progress.

The Economist

"That's patently obvious.

The New York Times

This is patently untrue.

The New Yorker

This was patently absurd.

The New York Times

This is patently wrong.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "patently irresponsible", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates the obvious nature of the irresponsibility. Avoid using it for situations where the irresponsibility is debatable or requires significant explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "patently irresponsible" when describing opinions or subjective matters. The phrase is most effective when applied to actions or decisions with demonstrably negative and obvious consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "patently irresponsible" functions as an evaluative descriptor, modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate that something is clearly and obviously lacking in responsibility. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "patently irresponsible" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, though relatively rare in occurrence. As Ludwig confirms, it is suitable for describing actions or decisions that are obviously lacking in responsibility. Its usage is primarily found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly demonstrates the obvious nature of the irresponsibility and that you are not applying it to subjective matters. Alternatives like ""blatantly irresponsible"" or ""clearly irresponsible"" can be used for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

patently reckless

Replaces "irresponsible" with "reckless", emphasizing the disregard for danger or consequences and with a similarity score of 95.

blatantly irresponsible

Substitutes "patently" with "blatantly", suggesting an open and obvious lack of responsibility and with a similarity score of 95.

clearly irresponsible

Replaces "patently" with "clearly", indicating an easily perceived lack of responsibility and with a similarity score of 90.

obviously irresponsible

Similar to "clearly irresponsible", but emphasizes the self-evidence of the irresponsibility and with a similarity score of 90.

utterly irresponsible

Uses "utterly" instead of "patently", strengthening the degree of irresponsibility and with a similarity score of 88.

patently indefensible

Shifts the focus from irresponsibility to the inability to justify the action and with a similarity score of 85.

patently unjustifiable

Similar to "patently indefensible", emphasizing that there is no justification for the action and with a similarity score of 85.

apparently irresponsible

Replaces "patently" with "apparently", suggesting that the irresponsibility is based on appearances rather than being definitively proven and with a similarity score of 82.

patently foolish

Substitutes "irresponsible" with "foolish", highlighting the lack of wisdom or good judgment and with a similarity score of 80.

patently unfair

Replaces "irresponsible" with "unfair", shifting the focus to the lack of justice or equity and with a similarity score of 75.

FAQs

How can I use "patently irresponsible" in a sentence?

You can use "patently irresponsible" to describe actions or decisions that are clearly reckless or lacking in responsibility. For example: "Ignoring safety protocols was a "patently irresponsible" decision."

What phrases can I use instead of "patently irresponsible"?

Alternatives include "blatantly irresponsible", "clearly irresponsible", or "patently reckless", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "patently irresponsible" and "utterly irresponsible"?

"Patently irresponsible" suggests that the irresponsibility is obvious or easily apparent, while "utterly irresponsible" emphasizes the extreme degree of irresponsibility. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the obviousness or the severity of the irresponsibility.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "patently irresponsible"?

It is appropriate when describing actions or decisions that have clear, negative consequences and demonstrate an obvious disregard for responsibility or ethical considerations. It's best used when the irresponsibility is easily discernible without extensive explanation.