would be remiss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would be remiss" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when referring to an omission or a failure to take a certain action. Example sentence: "As a parent, I would be remiss if I did not remind my children to finish their homework every night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We would be remiss to forget her fifth "child", her niece, Ruth Anne Lazarus.

The New York Times

"We would be remiss not to define them".

Huffington Post

I would be remiss not to.

The New York Times

"If we didn't do that, we would be remiss".

The New York Times

It would be remiss of me if I did.

The Guardian

I would be remiss if I didn't mention another performance.

The New Yorker

It would be remiss for the government to ignore that".

The Guardian

It would be remiss to discount their aptitude elsewhere, too.

The Guardian - Sport

"I would be remiss if I did not offer," said Steve Lindsley, their conscientious communications director.

The New York Times

And I would be remiss if I did not mention those vins doux naturels.

The New York Times - Food

We would be remiss if we missed this one, evident in Bryan's photo, above.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would be remiss" to politely introduce information that might be expected or is essential to the topic at hand. It adds a touch of formality and thoughtfulness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "would be remiss" too frequently in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and insincere. Vary your language by using alternative phrases like "should mention" or "must not forget".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would be remiss" functions as a modal verb phrase used to express a sense of obligation or duty. As Ludwig AI points out, it's used when someone believes they should mention something or take a specific action to avoid negligence or omission. It often introduces a point that the speaker or writer feels compelled to address.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

28%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would be remiss" is a modal verb phrase that expresses a sense of obligation or duty to mention something or take a particular action. As Ludwig AI explains, it is typically used in formal contexts, such as news articles, academic papers, and business communications, to politely introduce essential information and demonstrate attention to detail. While grammatically correct and widely used, it's important to vary your language to avoid overuse. Alternatives include "should mention", "must not forget", and "ought to include". Overall, "would be remiss" is a valuable expression for conveying responsibility and thoughtfulness in your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should not fail to mention

Focuses on the act of mentioning specifically, emphasizing the speaker's intention to include certain details.

ought to include

Highlights a moral obligation to incorporate something that should not be left out.

should not omit

Directly addresses the act of leaving something out, which should be avoided.

must not forget

Emphasizes the importance of remembering and including something crucial.

it would be an oversight not to

Highlights the error in not considering something.

it would be neglectful to disregard

Highlights the irresponsibility of ignoring something important.

it would be irresponsible to overlook

Emphasizes the lack of responsibility in failing to consider something.

cannot afford to ignore

Highlights the necessity of paying attention to something that can't be ignored.

one must consider

Highlights the unavoidable need to remember something.

one cannot justly ignore

Emphasizes the unfairness of disregarding something that should be considered.

FAQs

How can I use "would be remiss" in a sentence?

Use "would be remiss" to express a sense of duty or obligation to mention or do something. For example, "I "would be remiss" if I didn't thank everyone for their hard work".

What are some alternatives to "would be remiss"?

You can use alternatives such as "should mention", "must not forget", or "ought to include" depending on the context.

Is it formal to use "would be remiss"?

Yes, "would be remiss" is generally considered a formal expression. It is suitable for professional, academic, and formal writing contexts.

What does "would be remiss" imply?

"Would be remiss" implies that failing to mention or do something would be a neglectful or irresponsible omission. It suggests a sense of duty or obligation.