mere negligence

Meaning

1. 1phraseuncountablelegallaw

   In law, ordinary carelessness that falls below the standard of reasonable care, without any intention to cause harm.

   Grammar: Used as an uncountable noun phrase; it takes a singular verb: 'Mere negligence was enough to establish liability.'

   Patterns

   • a finding of mere negligence
   • mere negligence on the part of someone
   • liability for mere negligence
   • mere negligence is sufficient to...

   The court held that mere negligence, not deliberate misconduct, was the basis for the claim.

   In most accident cases, mere negligence is all the plaintiff needs to prove.

   The statute imposes liability for mere negligence without requiring proof of intent.

Common combinations

a finding of mere negligence

The jury made a finding of mere negligence rather than gross negligence.

mere negligence on the part of

There was mere negligence on the part of the driver, not any intent to harm.

liability for mere negligence

The contract does not exclude liability for mere negligence.

mere negligence is sufficient

For this tort, mere negligence is sufficient; you do not need to show malice.

Synonyms and how they differ

ordinary negligence

A close synonym used in legal writing to contrast with gross negligence; 'mere negligence' often emphasizes that nothing more serious is involved.

carelessness

A plain-English word for the same idea, but it lacks the precise legal standard of 'mere negligence'.

Opposites

Word family

negligent adjective

Failing to take proper care; the adjective form describing a person or act.

negligently adverb

In a careless way that breaches a duty of care.

negligence noun

The general noun for failure to exercise reasonable care.

Commonly confused: mere negligence or negligible?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “mere negligence”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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