What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
haphazardly
Example
He threw the books haphazardly on the shelf. [haphazardly: adverb]
Example
The construction workers were working haphazardly, with no clear direction. [haphazardly: adverb]
carelessly
Example
She carelessly left her phone on the table and it got stolen. [carelessly: adverb]
Example
The chef carelessly added too much salt to the dish. [carelessly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Carelessly is more commonly used than haphazardly in everyday language. Carelessly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while haphazardly is less common and refers specifically to actions that are disorganized or inefficient.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between haphazardly and carelessly?
Both haphazardly and carelessly are informal words that are not typically used in formal writing or speech.
