Meaning & use
neglecting
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“neglecting” is a form of “neglect”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Failing to give someone or something the care, attention or time it needs.
Grammar: Takes an object: neglecting your health, neglecting a pet.
Patterns
- neglecting someone
- neglecting something
She was accused of neglecting her elderly mother.
By neglecting the garden all summer, they let the weeds take over.
He is neglecting his studies because of his new job.
verbtransitive
Not doing something that you ought to do, often through carelessness or forgetfulness.
Grammar: Often followed by to + infinitive: neglecting to lock the door.
Patterns
- neglecting to do something
- neglecting your duty
He kept neglecting to answer the emails.
Neglecting to back up your files can be costly.
The company was fined for neglecting to report the accident.
Word forms
| base form | neglect |
|---|---|
| third person singular | neglects |
| past tense | neglected |
| past participle | neglected |
| -ing form | neglecting |
Common combinations
- neglecting your health
- Neglecting your health at work will catch up with you.
- neglecting your duties
- The guard was fired for neglecting his duties.
- neglecting a child
- Neglecting a child is a serious offense.
- neglecting to mention
- You are neglecting to mention the cost.
- neglecting maintenance
- Neglecting maintenance leads to expensive repairs.
Synonyms and how they differ
- ignoring
- Suggests a deliberate choice not to notice, whereas neglecting is often about failing to give care.
- overlooking
- Means missing something by accident, with less blame than neglecting.
- forgetting
- Describes a memory lapse and carries less blame than neglecting, which implies duty.
- abandoning
- Stronger and more final; you stop caring altogether, while neglecting can be partial.
Opposites
Word family
- neglect verb
- to fail to look after or do something
- neglect noun
- lack of proper care
- neglected adjective
- not looked after properly
- neglectful adjective
- failing to give care
- negligence noun
- careless failure to take proper care
Commonly confused: neglecting or negligent? neglecting or ignoring?
neglecting vs negligent
'Negligent' describes a careless person or act, while 'neglecting' is an action in progress.
neglecting vs ignoring
You ignore something you notice; you neglect something you should have cared for.
Practice
The farmer was accused of ___ his animals when they were found thin and without water.
Choose one answer.
'Neglecting' means failing to care for. 'Neglected' is the wrong form after 'of'; 'negating' means cancelling out.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “neglecting”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.