What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
carelessness
Example
His carelessness caused the accident. [carelessness: noun]
Example
She often acts with carelessness, not considering the impact on others. [carelessness: gerund or present participle]
thoughtlessness
Example
His thoughtlessness hurt her feelings. [thoughtlessness: noun]
Example
It was thoughtless of him to make that comment without considering how it would affect others. [thoughtless: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Carelessness is more commonly used than thoughtlessness in everyday language. Carelessness is a broader term that covers a wide range of contexts, while thoughtlessness is less common and more specific to interpersonal behavior.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between carelessness and thoughtlessness?
Both carelessness and thoughtlessness are generally informal words. However, carelessness can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while thoughtlessness is more commonly used in informal conversations.
