neglect

/nɪˈɡlekt/ (bre, ipa) · /nɪˈɡlekt/ (ame, ipa) · /ni-ˈglekt/ (ame, mw)

neglect — verb

  • neglectpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • neglectshe / she / it
  • neglectedpast simple
  • neglecting-ing form

1. to fail to look after someone or something that depends on you properly, by not

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to fail to look after someone or something that depends on you properly, by not spending enough time or effort on them

例句

Karim neglected his grandmother's garden, and the roses all died.

transitive: neglect + [possession/responsibility]

The hospital was criticised for neglecting the basic needs of elderly patients.

passive construction: be criticised for neglecting

同義詞
  • ignore

    stronger and more deliberate — implies actively choosing not to pay attention rather than simply failing to care

  • abandon

    more extreme — suggests leaving someone or something permanently rather than just failing to give enough care

  • disregard

    more formal and intentional — treating something as unworthy of attention

反義詞
  • care for

    to look after someone or something attentively

  • attend to

    to give proper care and attention to a task or person

文法句型

neglect + someone/something

用法筆記

Frequently used with personal objects (children, parents, health) or practical responsibilities (work, studies, garden, repairs). Often appears in passive constructions when criticising institutions or authorities.

常見錯誤

❌I neglected about my homework.
✅I neglected my homework.
💡neglect is transitive and takes a direct object without a preposition.
❌She neglected her childs needs.
✅She neglected her child's needs.
💡the possessive form of 'child' is 'child's'.

2. to omit doing something that was required or expected, usually because of forget

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to omit doing something that was required or expected, usually because of forgetfulness or a lack of time

例句

Takeshi neglected to lock the back door and a neighbour's cat got inside.

neglect + to-infinitive (fail to do)

Maja had neglected to pay her electricity bill and the power was cut off.

同義詞
  • omit

    more neutral and slightly less common; can suggest an honest oversight

  • overlook

    suggests failing to notice rather than failing to make time for something

  • skip

    informal and more deliberate — choosing not to do something

反義詞
  • remember

    to not forget to do what was planned

  • perform

    to carry out a required task properly

文法句型

neglect + to-infinitive

用法筆記

This sense always takes a to-infinitive complement (neglect to do). It does not take a gerund (neglect doing). Distinguish from sense 1 (FAIL TO CARE FOR), which takes a noun object.

常見錯誤

❌He neglected doing the dishes.
✅He neglected to do the dishes.
💡neglect meaning 'fail to do' requires a to-infinitive, not a gerund.
❌I neglected that I had to call her.
✅I neglected to call her.
💡neglect does not take a that-clause; use the to-infinitive structure.

neglect — noun