unattended

USAGE SUMMARY

"unattended" is an acceptable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that was left without someone taking care of it, or not carried out. For example: "The unattended tasks were eventually completed late in the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Those concerned that a jammer is being used within range of their car can also report the incident to the police and are advised not to leave their vehicle unattended.

The Guardian - Tech

It describes its Marrakech and Mountains trip, as "an adult holiday that children will enjoy", pointing out that the accommodation is not specifically aimed at families and swimming pools may be unattended.

The Guardian - Travel

The affidavit alleged Novak stole six flak vests from the 82nd airborne division when unit members left them unattended.

The Guardian

Or the police officer who left Stephen bleeding unattended on the ground?

The Guardian

For, if unattended, Germany's structural ills could hobble the economy and needlessly hold back the rest of the world at a time of growing economic anxiety.

The Economist

This basic misunderstanding, left unattended, may one day lead governments to turn back the clock on liberal trade.Other good policies have likewise been founded on bad economics.

The Economist

One of the many aid workers stuck in Bangkok this week, pleading with the Burmese embassy to grant him a visa, argued that by leaving so many people to die unattended, the regime was committing a crime against humanity.

The Economist

In his 12 years in power, bureaucratic corruption has gone "unpunished, unattended, and uncontrolled", says Elena Panfilova of Transparency International, a lobby group.

The Economist

The 3D printer can run unattended, and can make many things which are too complex for a traditional factory to handle.

The Economist

However, you stated that Colombian troops "left three wounded women guerrillas unattended" after the engagement.

The Economist

But it is leaving unattended more serious matters.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about security protocols, use "unattended" to emphasize the lack of supervision, as opposed to merely being "alone". For example, "Never leave your baggage unattended" clearly conveys a security warning.

Common error

Avoid using "unattended" when "neglected" is more appropriate. "Unattended" simply means without attention, while "neglected" implies a duty of care was breached. For example, say "The child was left unattended for a moment" not "The child was neglected for a moment" if there was no actual neglect.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unattended" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a lack of supervision or attention. As Ludwig AI explains, this term is commonly used to describe items or situations where oversight is absent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

29%

Science

29%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academic

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unattended" functions as an adjective to describe something lacking supervision or care, with a primarily neutral register suitable for various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, especially in news, encyclopedic, and scientific sources. When using "unattended", remember to differentiate it from "neglected", which implies a breach of duty, and consider synonyms like "unsupervised" or "left alone" for nuanced meanings. The most common use cases involve security warnings and descriptions of situations lacking oversight. Avoid common errors such as confusion with neglected or abandoned. As the examples show, "unattended" is a versatile term for highlighting the absence of supervision, often with implications of potential risk or consequence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsupervised

A direct synonym, highlighting the lack of supervision.

without supervision

Emphasizes the absence of oversight, similar to "unattended" but more explicit about the lack of a supervisor.

without oversight

Similar to without supervision but uses a more formal term, "oversight", to describe the lack of management or control.

unmonitored

Highlights the absence of monitoring, which is a specific type of attention.

unguarded

Suggests a lack of protection or security, similar to leaving something "unattended" but with a focus on potential danger.

left unwatched

Focuses on the absence of someone watching, similar to "unattended" but more literal.

left alone

Focuses on the state of being physically alone, differing from "unattended" which implies a lack of supervision or care.

unprotected

Emphasizes the lack of protection, implying vulnerability, which is a different aspect than simply being "unattended".

neglected

Implies a lack of care or attention, often with negative consequences, which is a stronger connotation than simply "unattended".

abandoned

Indicates a complete and often permanent leaving behind, which is a more extreme form of being "unattended".

FAQs

How can I use "unattended" in a sentence?

Use "unattended" to describe something left without supervision or care. For example, "The package should never be left "unattended" in a public area".

What's a good substitute for "unattended"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "unattended" include "unsupervised", "unguarded", or "left alone". Choose the word that best fits the situation.

Is it correct to say "unattended baggage" or "unsupervised baggage"?

Both "unattended baggage" and "unsupervised baggage" are grammatically correct, but "unattended baggage" is more commonly used, especially in security contexts, to emphasize the potential risk of items left without surveillance.

What's the difference between "unattended" and "abandoned"?

"Unattended" means temporarily without supervision, while "abandoned" implies a permanent or indefinite relinquishment. For example, a bag left for a few minutes is "unattended", but one left indefinitely is "abandoned".