utter neglect

USAGE SUMMARY

'utter neglect' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to something which has been neglected completely and in a very serious way. For example: "Victor's utter neglect of his studies caused him to fail his final exams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Mr. Shepard advocates an agronomical method he calls STUN, for "Sheer, Total, Utter Neglect".

The New York Times

"It was an area with no real strategic value, no national interests, subject to utter neglect and indifference in Washington.

The New Yorker

Facebook Twitter Pinterest 1.25pm GMT In this video, campaigner Julie Bailey talks about the treatment received by her mother at Stafford hospital, telling of the staff's "utter neglect" while her mother was in their care.

The Guardian

"This utter neglect of duty, a daily snub at the people who work to protect us, the first Commander-in-Chief to literally be AWOL and announcing proudly he isn't going to change – this, I assure you, is going to get a lot of innocent people killed," he wrote.

The Guardian - Film

Guy Shrubsole, climate campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said: "Protecting British households from the destructive impacts of climate change is the ultimate public good; for government to slash protection with no guarantee of businesses picking up the tab instead is utter neglect.

The Guardian

Mr Jehani said Libya's infrastructure was in a poor state even before the revolution because of "utter neglect".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Thousands of unnamed Black veterans have similar experiences of extreme abuse, neglect or utter disregard.

Huffington Post

The Warehouse Pier has been beautifully restored; the lightship and the sugar plant present a panorama of utter urban ruin and neglect.

The New York Times

America's utter addiction to the automobile, neglect of and snobbery toward virtually any other form of transportation (except air travel and, where it exists, the subway) is the reason for this beleaguered roadway's problems, and is also the root cause of many other roadway woes around the country.

The New York Times

It was a reminder that the Other India is still dying of callous neglect, political criminality and utter hopelessness.

The New York Times

The demonstrations quickly spread across the country, building off everything from misery inflicted by a devastating drought in the countryside to the utter unaccountability of security forces in rural regions long neglected by Mr. Assad's state.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utter neglect" to highlight situations where the lack of care or attention is extreme and unacceptable. For instance, "The historical building suffered utter neglect, leading to its eventual collapse."

Common error

Avoid using "utter neglect" for minor oversights or easily remedied situations. It's a strong phrase best reserved for severe cases of negligence. Instead of saying, "He showed utter neglect in forgetting my coffee", use "He simply forgot my coffee".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utter neglect" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It emphasizes the extreme degree of negligence, often implying severe consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utter neglect" is a noun phrase used to denote a severe and unacceptable lack of care or attention. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and contextually appropriate for expressing strong disapproval or concern, and the analyzed examples confirm this. While not overly common, it appears predominantly in news and media sources, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When writing, use "utter neglect" to emphasize the severity of negligence, but avoid overuse in trivial situations. Consider alternatives like "complete disregard" or "total abandonment" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete disregard

Highlights the lack of attention or consideration given.

sheer negligence

Focuses on the failure to exercise the necessary care.

total abandonment

Emphasizes the act of forsaking or leaving something completely.

gross dereliction

Stresses a serious failure to fulfill a duty or responsibility.

absolute forsakenness

Highlights the condition of being utterly abandoned or deserted.

extreme carelessness

Emphasizes the lack of caution or attention, but perhaps to a lesser degree.

profound indifference

Focuses on the lack of interest or concern.

unmitigated oversight

Highlights an error or failure to notice something important without any attempt to reduce its impact.

systematic marginalization

Emphasizes a process where something or someone is consistently treated as insignificant or peripheral.

callous disregard

Underscores a lack of empathy or concern for the consequences of neglecting something.

FAQs

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

You can use "utter neglect" to describe a situation where something or someone has been completely ignored or disregarded, resulting in significant negative consequences. For example, "The city's infrastructure fell into "utter neglect" due to budget cuts."

What are some alternatives to "utter neglect"?

Some alternatives to "utter neglect" include "complete disregard", "total abandonment", and "sheer negligence". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "utter neglect" a formal or informal phrase?

"Utter neglect" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally more common in formal writing or speech due to its intensity. Its appropriateness depends on the overall tone and audience.

What's the difference between "neglect" and "utter neglect"?

"Neglect" implies a lack of attention or care, while "utter neglect" intensifies this meaning, suggesting a complete and egregious lack of attention, resulting in severe consequences. "Utter" emphasizes the extreme degree of neglect.