wholly irresponsible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wholly irresponsible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or behavior that is completely lacking in responsibility or accountability. Example: "The decision to ignore safety protocols was wholly irresponsible and put everyone at risk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It's wholly irresponsible of your parents to have thrown you together in one bedroom.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It is wholly irresponsible to play politics with public finances in this way.

The Guardian

It is a wholly irresponsible one and entirely unfit for those who seek to hold high office".

The Guardian

Indeed it would be wholly irresponsible to spend public money on treatments that have no evidence to support their claims.

The Guardian

Obstetricians who encourage parents to deal with their baby's death by making another of the same sex are wholly irresponsible.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This prompted Stephen Nicholl, a unionist councillor, to complain to the Press Complaints Commission on the grounds that Freeman's comparison between a Shia militia and the bowler-hatted Orangemen was "inaccurate and wholly irresponsible".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Completely irresponsible".

Independent

"It is completely irresponsible.

The Guardian

"It is totally irresponsible".

BBC

"Totally irresponsible.

Huffington Post

The plaintiffs were all irresponsible.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wholly irresponsible", ensure the context clearly explains why the action or decision is being judged so harshly. Provide specific examples to support your claim and avoid vague accusations.

Common error

Avoid using "wholly irresponsible" to describe minor mistakes or oversights. This phrase carries significant weight and should be reserved for situations where the consequences of the irresponsibility are substantial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wholly irresponsible" functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to express strong disapproval and condemnation of an action or behavior. As Ludwig AI highlights, it suggests a complete lack of responsibility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wholly irresponsible" is a strong and common way to express complete disapproval of an action or decision. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. Primarily found in news and media contexts, it denotes a severe lack of responsibility and carries a negative judgment. To use the phrase effectively, provide context, avoid overuse in trivial situations, and consider semantically similar alternatives such as "utterly reckless" or "completely negligent" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

patently irresponsible

Emphasizes the obvious nature of the irresponsibility.

entirely careless

Stresses the lack of attention or concern.

completely negligent

Highlights the failure to exercise reasonable care.

utterly reckless

Focuses on the lack of care and potential for danger.

totally imprudent

Emphasizes the lack of wisdom or foresight.

demonstrably negligent

Highlights that the negligence can be proven.

thoroughly misguided

Focuses on the flawed judgment or direction.

grossly incompetent

Focuses on the extreme lack of ability to fulfill a responsibility.

absolutely unconscionable

Emphasizes the moral unacceptability of the action.

downright foolhardy

Highlights the reckless and foolish nature of the action.

FAQs

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

You can use "wholly irresponsible" to describe actions or decisions that are completely lacking in responsibility. For example: "It was "wholly irresponsible" of them to leave the children unattended."

What phrases are similar to "wholly irresponsible"?

Similar phrases include "utterly reckless", "completely negligent", and "totally imprudent". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "irresponsible" or "wholly irresponsible"?

"Wholly irresponsible" intensifies the degree of irresponsibility. Use "wholly irresponsible" when you want to emphasize that the action was completely and utterly lacking in responsibility. In most contexts, "irresponsible" alone is sufficient.

What makes something "wholly irresponsible" as opposed to just "irresponsible"?

An action is "wholly irresponsible" when it not only lacks responsibility but also demonstrates a complete disregard for the potential consequences. It implies a severe breach of duty or obligation, going beyond simple negligence.