relative neglect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relative neglect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is neglected in comparison to other things, indicating a lesser degree of neglect. Example: "The project suffered from relative neglect compared to the more urgent tasks on the team's agenda."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Why this relative neglect?

The New York Times

Such incidents suggest relative neglect of a towering genius.

The New York Times - Books

Neglect of Europe More problematic, however, is the new curriculum's relative neglect of Europe.

The Guardian - Books

The relative neglect of Oak Creek was not a foregone conclusion.

The New Yorker

Even Bach had to be rescued from relative neglect by Mendelssohn.

The New York Times - Magazine

The relative neglect of the rest of Watts' great paintings can partly be explained by their size.

The Guardian - Arts

But the pool of top comedy talent is shallow after years of relative neglect, so maintaining quality is a challenge.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Our intervention has focused on war-fighting to the relative neglect of economic reconstruction and the empowerment of civil society.

The Guardian - Opinion

Its relative neglect in recent decades is simultaneously explicable and perverse, as the symphony is compact, distinctive and historically influential.

The Guardian - Music

It was in a state of relative neglect when they bought it in 1994, said Mr. Conway, an entrepreneur.

The New York Times

The relative neglect of a stunningly original artist owes much to his temperamental reclusion from the art world.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "relative neglect", ensure you clearly state what it's being neglected in relation to. This provides context and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "relative neglect" when complete abandonment is meant. This phrase implies something is still receiving some attention, albeit less than it should.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relative neglect" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state where something is not entirely ignored but receives significantly less attention or resources compared to other things. Ludwig confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

24%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "relative neglect" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes a situation where something receives less attention or resources than it should, especially in comparison to something else. As affirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for formal and neutral contexts, commonly appearing in news, scientific, and academic sources. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to specify what is being relatively neglected. While alternatives exist, such as "partial neglect" or "limited attention", "relative neglect" precisely conveys the concept of disproportionate inattention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comparative neglect

Replaces "relative" with "comparative", emphasizing the comparison aspect more directly.

partial neglect

Indicates that the neglect is not complete but only affects a portion of something.

limited attention

Focuses on the scarcity of attention given, rather than the act of neglecting.

disproportionate inattention

Highlights that the lack of attention is not evenly distributed.

underemphasis

Suggests that something is given less importance than it deserves.

secondary consideration

Indicates that something is considered less important and addressed after other priorities.

subordinate priority

Shows that something has been given a lower level of importance.

selective disregard

Highlights that the disregard is intentional and aimed at specific areas.

uneven focus

Stresses that attention is given inconsistently.

reduced emphasis

Conveys that the focus on something has decreased in comparison to previous levels.

FAQs

How can I use "relative neglect" in a sentence?

You can use "relative neglect" to describe situations where something receives less attention or resources compared to something else. For example, "The arts suffered from "relative neglect" in the school curriculum compared to STEM subjects".

What are some alternatives to saying "relative neglect"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "partial neglect", "limited attention", or "disproportionate inattention".

Is it correct to use "relative neglect" in formal writing?

Yes, "relative neglect" is appropriate for formal writing. It's used in academic papers, news articles, and business reports to describe disparities in attention or resources.

What is the difference between "relative neglect" and "absolute neglect"?

"Relative neglect" implies something is receiving less attention compared to something else, while "absolute neglect" means something is completely ignored or abandoned.