inattentive

/ˌɪnəˈtentɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪnəˈtentɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌi-nə-ˈten-tiv/ (ame, mw)

inattentive — adjective

  • inattentivepositive
  • more inattentivecomparative
  • most inattentivesuperlative

1. failing to focus on what is happening, what someone is saying, or what needs car

1.形容詞C1
釋義

failing to focus on what is happening, what someone is saying, or what needs care; easily distracted from the task or person in front of you.

例句

Minh was inattentive during the meeting and missed the new deadline his manager mentioned.

predicative use: be inattentive during + event

Parents complained that the bus driver was inattentive to the children crossing the street.

inattentive to + noun (the thing being ignored)

同義詞
  • distracted

    more neutral; usually a temporary state with a clear cause (noise, phone, worry)

  • absent-minded

    softer; suggests a habitual personality trait rather than a duty failure

  • negligent

    stronger and more formal; implies a real duty was broken, often with legal weight

  • heedless

    more literary; emphasises ignoring warnings or advice rather than failing to notice

反義詞
  • attentive

    the direct opposite; alert and focused on someone or something

  • focused

    broader; emphasises concentrated effort on one task

  • alert

    emphasises being ready to notice and react quickly

文法句型

inattentive to + noun

be inattentive in + situation

用法筆記

Subject is usually a person whose role requires attention (driver, nurse, student, waiter, parent). Frequently followed by 'to' + the thing or person being ignored, or 'in' + the setting. Often carries mild criticism — stronger than 'distracted', softer than 'negligent'.

常見錯誤

❌I felt inattentive in the long lecture.
✅I felt distracted in the long lecture.
💡describe yourself with 'distracted' or 'unable to concentrate'; 'inattentive' usually describes how someone else sees you.
❌She was inattentive about the warning signs.
✅She was inattentive to the warning signs.
💡the preposition is 'to', not 'about'.