willful neglect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "willful neglect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts to describe a situation where someone intentionally ignores their responsibilities or duties. Example: "The court found that the defendant's actions constituted willful neglect of their obligations to maintain the property."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It is not just folly, but willful neglect, to wait any longer to see if Metro's problems will somehow solve themselves.

The Washington Post

"It's not willful neglect.

The New York Times

Trump's refusal to stop constitutes willful neglect of his duties as commander in chief.

The Washington Post

He also faces a misdemeanor charge of willful neglect of duty.

The Washington Post

Earley and Ambrose also face charges of willful neglect of duty and misconduct in office.

The Washington Post

A willful failure or willful neglect is one that is intentional, knowing, and deliberate.

The Washington Post

His lack of effort in welcoming immigrants and refugees makes him seem culpable of willful neglect.

The New York Times

For the past year, American policy has been one of willful neglect.

The New York Times

unless it is shown that such failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect.

Cornell University

They were accused of misconduct in office and tampering with evidence, as well as for willful neglect of duty.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Glasgow, who was in charge of water quality at the plant, faces two charges of willful neglect of office and tampering with evidence.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "willful neglect", ensure that you can demonstrate the deliberate nature of the neglect. It's not simply an accident or oversight, but a conscious decision to ignore a responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "willful neglect" when the situation involves unintentional oversight or accidental mistakes. "Willful neglect" implies a deliberate and conscious decision to ignore a duty or responsibility, which is different from simple negligence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "willful neglect" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It describes a specific type of negligence characterized by intention or deliberateness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is standard in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

28%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "willful neglect" is a noun phrase that describes the intentional failure to fulfill a duty or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in legal, political, and social contexts. Its use suggests a stronger level of culpability than simple negligence, as it implies a conscious decision to ignore an obligation. To ensure proper usage, remember that it should only be applied when there is evidence of deliberate neglect, as confusing it with simple negligence is a common mistake. Authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Washington Post frequently employ this phrase, underlining its relevance in current discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intentional disregard

Emphasizes the deliberate act of ignoring or overlooking something.

deliberate dereliction

Highlights the intentional abandonment of duty or responsibility.

conscious indifference

Focuses on the awareness and subsequent lack of concern or action.

purposeful oversight

Suggests a calculated decision to overlook or omit something.

calculated negligence

Implies a premeditated act of carelessness or failure to provide necessary care.

knowing abandonment

Highlights the awareness of the act of leaving someone or something without support.

studied inattention

Implies a deliberate effort to avoid paying attention to something.

voluntary disregard

Emphasizes the act of freely and consciously choosing to ignore something.

intentional omission

Focuses on the deliberate act of leaving something out or neglecting to do it.

malicious disregard

Adds a element of spite or malice to the act of ignoring.

FAQs

How to use "willful neglect" in a sentence?

You can use "willful neglect" to describe a situation where someone intentionally fails to fulfill their responsibilities. For example: "The company's "willful neglect" of safety regulations led to the accident."

What is the difference between "willful neglect" and simple negligence?

"Willful neglect" implies a conscious and deliberate decision to ignore a duty, whereas simple negligence refers to unintentional oversight or carelessness. "Willful neglect" carries a stronger connotation of intentional wrongdoing.

What are some synonyms for "willful neglect"?

Synonyms for "willful neglect" include "intentional disregard", "deliberate dereliction", and "conscious indifference".

In what contexts is "willful neglect" commonly used?

"Willful neglect" is frequently used in legal, political, and social contexts to describe situations where there is an intentional failure to provide necessary care or attention, often leading to negative consequences. You can find ""willful neglect"" in news articles or academic papers when an authority or organization is not doing their job or duty on purpose.