refused to care

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refused to care" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a lack of concern or indifference towards a situation or person. Example: "Despite the consequences, she simply refused to care about the opinions of others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Presented with ample evidence of Mr. Clinton's ethical failures, American voters refused to care, much less get outraged.

The New York Times

The patients included both men and women, ages 30 to 60, who had been deemed unable to function independently and whose relatives refused to care for them.

The New York Times

When Mrs. Helmsley's brother refused to care for her, Trouble traveled by private jet from New York to Florida in September 2007, flying under the alias "Bubble" to keep the ill-intentioned off her tail.

The New York Times

Czerniaków immediately grasped that the Germans intended to demonstrate Hitler had provided the Jews with wonderful conditions in which to live: if Jews were suffering inside the ghetto walls it was because wealthy Jews refused to care for them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Health and emergency workers need vaccination for their own protection and to lessen the likelihood that some might flee in terror from smallpox patients, just as some doctors once refused to care for AIDS patients.

The New York Times

As a child, Susan LaFlesche Picotte witnessed an incident involving a Caucasian doctor who refused to care for a dying Native American woman.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

'PAULINE AND PAULETwo': Two self-involved Belgian women refuse to care for their mentally retarded sister after the oldest sister dies.

The New York Times

Several agencies have established programs to resettle and educate the children who have no homes or whose families refuse to care for them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

With respect to Andrew Gilligan, he is a bit-part actor and I refuse to care whether he or Susan Watts are or are not good reporters.

The Guardian

But that's no reason to drop out of school, or take drugs, or refuse to care for one's children, or shoot somebody.

The New York Times

Social Security, Medicare, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (Erisa), and the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, the 1986 law passed to prevent hospitals from refusing to care for uninsured patients in acute distress, all come to mind.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refused to care" when you want to emphasize a deliberate choice to not provide care or assistance, highlighting the volitional aspect of the refusal.

Common error

While "refused to care" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "declined to provide care" or "did not take responsibility for" in academic papers or business reports to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refused to care" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a predicate within a sentence. It indicates a subject's conscious decision to withhold care or concern. Ludwig confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "refused to care" is a grammatically sound verb phrase that describes a deliberate choice to withhold care or concern. Ludwig confirms its correct usage. While versatile, its impact varies across contexts; consider more formal alternatives in academic or business settings. The phrase is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Science, suggesting its relevance in reporting on ethical issues, societal problems, and healthcare scenarios. Though relatively uncommon, its directness makes it effective for expressing disapproval or assigning blame.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

declined to look after

This alternative suggests a formal rejection of responsibility for someone's well-being.

wouldn't take responsibility for

Focuses on avoiding accountability for someone or something.

showed no interest in

Highlights a lack of curiosity or engagement with a particular subject or person.

failed to provide for

Emphasizes the absence of essential provisions or support.

abandoned responsibility for

Suggests a complete and often abrupt relinquishment of duty.

disregarded the needs of

Highlights a deliberate overlooking or neglect of someone's requirements.

neglected to attend to

Focuses on a failure to give necessary attention or care.

turned a blind eye to

Implies a conscious decision to ignore something undesirable.

washed their hands of

Suggests a complete disavowal of responsibility, often in a dramatic way.

shirked their duty to

Emphasizes the avoidance of an obligation or task.

FAQs

What does "refused to care" mean?

The phrase "refused to care" means someone has declined to provide attention, support, or assistance, either due to a lack of concern or a deliberate choice.

How can I use "refused to care" in a sentence?

You can use "refused to care" to describe a situation where someone consciously avoids responsibility, for example: "The family "refused to care" for their ailing relative."

What are some alternatives to "refused to care"?

Alternatives include "declined to look after", "showed no interest in", or "wouldn't take responsibility for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "refused to care" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider more formal phrases like "declined to provide care" or "did not take responsibility for" in formal or professional contexts.