simple negligence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "simple negligence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to refer to a failure to exercise reasonable care that results in harm or damage, without any intent to cause harm. Example: "The court found that the defendant's actions constituted simple negligence, leading to the plaintiff's injuries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

There is also a blurry line between simple negligence and gross negligence or reckless misconduct.

The New York Times - Travel

They formerly had to show simple negligence by a preponderance of the evidence.

The New York Times

A simple negligence ruling, which BP sought, caps the maximum fine at $1,100 per barrel.

The Guardian - Business

In some cases this was  attempted cheating, but usually it was simple negligence, most tellingly with Cape Verde.

Independent

The reader who comes fresh to Carr's work might reasonably assume that this is the result of simple negligence.

The Guardian - Books

But if BP's position is upheld — that there was simple negligence and only 2.45 million barrels of spillage — total fines would amount to no more than $2.7 billion.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Nuclear energy plants, like nuclear weapons systems, do not forgive mistakes of judgment, of mechanical error, or simple human negligence.

Huffington Post

The first trial looked at who was to blame and whether the disaster had been the result of simple or "gross" negligence.

The Guardian - Business

Lawyers say that if it could be shown some people in the second tower had died after being told to return to their workstations once an "all-clear" message had been given following the first plane ripping into the first tower, there could be liability if simple or gross negligence were proven.

Forbes

Yesterday, Judge Vichness, who conducted the trial without a jury, threw out another charge, aggravated assault, and found Mr. Charles guilty of simple assault, based on negligence, and criminal restraint.

The New York Times

As Nigerian artist Peju Alatise explained, the West often conveys overly simplistic projections of African art out of ignorance, negligence or simple lack of exposure.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal writing, avoid overly casual language when describing "simple negligence". Maintain a formal tone to ensure accuracy and professionalism. Be specific about the actions or omissions that constituted the negligence.

Common error

Avoid using "simple negligence" interchangeably with "gross negligence". Simple negligence involves a failure to exercise reasonable care, while gross negligence involves a reckless disregard for the safety of others. Ensure you accurately represent the level of culpability involved.

Linguistic Context

Simple negligence functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a legal concept pertaining to a failure to exercise a reasonable standard of care. Ludwig confirms its usage in varied contexts, from discussing legal liabilities to evaluating the severity of misconduct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Simple negligence is a legal term denoting a failure to exercise reasonable care, distinguishing it from gross negligence or intentional misconduct. As Ludwig's examples indicate, it's frequently used in news, business, and legal contexts, particularly when discussing liability and associated penalties. Common synonyms include "ordinary negligence" and "basic negligence". When writing, it's crucial to differentiate simple negligence from gross negligence to ensure accuracy. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, making it a valuable term for precise communication in various professional domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ordinary negligence

Replaces "simple" with "ordinary", indicating a standard level of care was not met.

basic negligence

Substitutes "simple" with "basic", emphasizing the fundamental nature of the failure to exercise care.

mere negligence

Uses "mere" instead of "simple" to downplay the severity of the negligence.

negligence without intent

Specifies the absence of intention, clarifying that the harm was unintentional.

unintentional negligence

Highlights the lack of intent behind the negligent act.

careless oversight

Focuses on the lack of attention or supervision that led to the negligence.

lack of due care

Emphasizes the failure to exercise the expected level of caution.

failure to exercise reasonable care

A more formal way of describing negligence, highlighting the absence of reasonable precautions.

non-intentional breach of duty

A legalistic alternative, clarifying the breach was not deliberate.

inadvertent negligence

Replaces "simple" with "inadvertent" emphasizing the carelessness.

FAQs

How does "simple negligence" differ from gross negligence?

"Simple negligence" involves a failure to exercise reasonable care, while gross negligence implies a reckless disregard for the safety and well-being of others. The distinction affects the severity of legal consequences, as seen in examples related to BP oil spill fines where penalties varied based on whether "gross negligence" was proven.

What are some synonyms for "simple negligence"?

Alternatives include "ordinary negligence", "basic negligence", or "mere negligence". The choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey. Each of them represent a similar lack of required standard of care.

In what contexts is the term "simple negligence" commonly used?

The term is frequently used in legal and insurance contexts to describe a lack of reasonable care that results in harm or damage. It often arises in discussions of liability, such as determining fines under the Clean Water Act or assessing responsibility for accidents.

What standard of proof is required to establish "simple negligence"?

Generally, establishing "simple negligence" requires proving that the defendant owed a duty of care, breached that duty, and that the breach directly caused the plaintiff's damages. The standard of proof is usually a preponderance of the evidence, meaning it's more likely than not that negligence occurred.