utterly irresponsible

USAGE SUMMARY

"utterly irresponsible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's behavior, or the potential consequences of an action. For example, "The mayor's suggestion to cut vital funding for education is utterly irresponsible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

It was utterly irresponsible".

The Guardian

Lofven fired back, calling the Sweden Democrats' actions "utterly irresponsible".

The Economist

McNulty said Rogers was "stone cold wrong" and "utterly irresponsible".

The Guardian - Business

She added: "The way they were acting was utterly irresponsible".

The Guardian

Leaving no one in charge of the global climate change agenda is utterly irresponsible.

Independent

Leon Daniels, TfL's managing director of surface transport said: "The letter from the management of Addison Lee is utterly irresponsible.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

The biggest failings of recent times have been those of the corporate giants, which are utterly undemocratic and irresponsible.

The Guardian - Opinion

The BBC has hit out at a front-page Sun story headlined "Auntie is anti-white" as "utterly ridiculous and irresponsible".

The Guardian

In a BBC statement issued in response to the story in the Sun's Friday edition, the BBC said: "As the Sun knows and has ignored, these are not jobs but training and development opportunities permitted under the Equality Act and to describe this as anti-white is utterly ridiculous and irresponsible.

The Guardian

Mr. Janssen said that borrowing to finance current spending was fiscally irresponsible, but utterly necessary given the state's plight.

The New York Times

Katie Hall, chair of the LGA's community wellbeing board, said: "This is an utterly reckless and totally irresponsible craze which has tragically claimed lives.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "utterly irresponsible", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates the significant negative consequences or the high degree of negligence associated with the action or decision you are describing.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly irresponsible" to describe minor mistakes or oversights. This phrase carries a strong connotation of serious misconduct or extreme negligence and is best reserved for situations where the consequences are significant and the breach of responsibility is substantial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly irresponsible" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that demonstrates a complete lack of responsibility. As seen in Ludwig, it often qualifies actions or decisions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "utterly irresponsible" is a powerful descriptor used to condemn actions or decisions that demonstrate a complete lack of responsibility. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in neutral to formal contexts, especially in news and media. Common errors include using the phrase to describe minor oversights, while best practices involve reserving it for situations with significant negative consequences. Alternatives such as "completely reckless" or "totally negligent" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely reckless

Emphasizes the lack of caution and disregard for potential consequences, highlighting the recklessness aspect.

totally negligent

Highlights the failure to exercise the appropriate and expected level of care.

grossly negligent

Indicates a severe departure from the standard of care, emphasizing the gravity of the negligence.

highly imprudent

Focuses on the lack of wisdom and foresight in the action or decision.

patently reckless

Highlights the obvious and undeniable nature of the recklessness.

absolutely inexcusable

Emphasizes that the action or behavior is impossible to justify or defend.

thoroughly misguided

Focuses on the flawed thinking or reasoning behind the action or decision.

downright unethical

Emphasizes the violation of moral principles and standards.

blatantly disregardful

Highlights the open and obvious lack of consideration for others or for rules.

criminally negligent

Indicates a level of negligence that could lead to criminal charges.

FAQs

How can I use "utterly irresponsible" in a sentence?

You can use "utterly irresponsible" to describe actions or decisions that show a complete lack of responsibility and are likely to have severe negative consequences. For example: "The company's decision to dump toxic waste was "utterly irresponsible"."

What are some synonyms for "utterly irresponsible"?

Some synonyms for "utterly irresponsible" include "completely reckless", "totally negligent", or "grossly negligent". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "utterly irresponsible"?

It is appropriate to use "utterly irresponsible" when describing an action or decision that demonstrates a severe lack of responsibility and has significant negative repercussions. It's stronger than just "irresponsible" and implies a high degree of culpability.

What is the difference between "utterly irresponsible" and "somewhat irresponsible"?

"Utterly irresponsible" suggests a complete and profound lack of responsibility, with severe implications. "Somewhat irresponsible" implies a lesser degree of irresponsibility, with potentially less serious consequences. The choice depends on the magnitude of the lack of responsibility.