unchecked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unchecked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not controlled, restrained, or limited, often referring to negative consequences or behaviors. Example: "The unchecked growth of the city has led to severe traffic congestion and pollution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are going to see a parochial, unchecked, economy developing with the marginalisation of any progressive-thinking Zimbabweans.

The Guardian

Corruption went unchecked and the king remained silent over the Al-Yamamah arms deal, exposed in 2003 by the Guardian as a scandal implicating the British military contractor BAE Systems and Prince Sultan, Saudi minister of defence and also the crown prince.

The Guardian

As the poor get hit with an eight euro a week cut in social welfare, as the rank-and-file public and private sector continue to live with pay cuts and lay-offs, the bonus culture in the minister's own back yard continues unchecked.

The Guardian - Business

It is also the first step towards testifying against anyone in the world of cycling who may have known about the extent of his doping and perhaps allowed it to continue unchecked.

The Guardian - Sport

The Tory plans to repeal the HRA, together with the restricted access to our courts already brought about by the restriction on judicial review introduced by Gove's predecessor, Chris Grayling, will silence the vulnerable and leave great swaths of executive action unchecked and unaccountable.

The Guardian - Opinion

The impacts of unchecked climate change will jeopardise the economic and social aspirations of generations of the world's people.

The Guardian - Opinion

The verges on the A6 north of Kendal are said to be teeming with the weed and it is also charging unchecked along railways and motorways.

The Guardian

He described bags going unchecked and said it was "harder getting into most nightclubs" than into control rooms, with broken pin code systems and guards failing to check passes.

The Guardian

Millions of citizens were displaced, neighbourhoods were cleansed along sectarian lines, and an entire population numbed by unchecked brutality.

The Guardian

The report observed that unchecked development would also expose more people and assets to the ravages of climate change.

The Guardian

Snowden denied this and likened the scenario to a "suicide switch", alluding to people who might want the information on the internet, unchecked and unredacted, and would kill him for the sake of it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "unchecked" when describing the negative consequences of a lack of oversight or regulation in a specific area, such as "unchecked development" or "unchecked power".

Common error

Avoid using "unchecked" as a general term for 'bad' or 'negative'. It specifically implies a lack of restraint or monitoring. Make sure that's the intended meaning. For instance, instead of saying "The project faced unchecked difficulties", specify what aspect was unmanaged, like "The project faced unchecked budget overruns."

Linguistic Context

Unchecked functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a state of being without control or restraint. It describes something that proceeds without limits or monitoring, often implying negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms this usage in various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unchecked" is a versatile adjective that signifies a lack of control or restraint. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most commonly used in news, business, and scientific contexts, often to express concern about potential negative consequences. Remember to use "unchecked" when you specifically want to emphasize the absence of monitoring or regulation, and consider using synonyms like "unrestrained" or "uncontrolled" for variety. By understanding its nuances, you can use "unchecked" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unrestrained

Emphasizes the absence of restraint or limitation.

uncontrolled

Highlights the lack of control or regulation.

unrestrained

Focuses on lack of limit.

uncontrolled

Focuses on lack of direction.

unfettered

Focuses on the absence of restrictions or impediments.

unbridled

Suggests a lack of control, often with a sense of wildness or exuberance.

unregulated

Specifically refers to the absence of regulatory oversight.

unrestricted

Highlights the absence of imposed limits or boundaries.

untamed

Suggests a wild, uncultivated, or uncontrolled state.

out of control

Indicates a situation that has become unmanageable or chaotic.

FAQs

How can I use "unchecked" in a sentence?

"Unchecked" is used to describe something that is not controlled or restrained. For example, "The "unchecked growth" of the city led to traffic problems" or "Unchecked power can lead to corruption".

What are some synonyms for "unchecked"?

Alternatives to "unchecked" include "unrestrained", "uncontrolled", "unfettered", and "unbridled". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always negative to describe something as "unchecked"?

While "unchecked" often carries a negative connotation, implying undesirable consequences, it's not inherently negative. Its impact depends on the context. Describing "unchecked creativity", for instance, could suggest innovation without the limitations of rules or existing standards. However, in most contexts, "unchecked" implies a potentially harmful absence of control.

What's the difference between "unchecked" and "unregulated"?

"Unchecked" implies a general lack of control or monitoring, while "unregulated" specifically refers to the absence of formal rules or laws. Something "unchecked growth" might occur due to oversight or lack of resources. But "unregulated markets" lack the legal framework needed for proper governance.