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Uncareful?

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Fredrik

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We had a discussion in our class if the word ''Uncareful'' was the right word to use. The teacher said it wasn't a English word, is that right? I'm surten I've heard that word before... She told me to use ''careless'' but that word is more ''I don't care about anything'' than uncareful that in my mind means ''you don't care about that special thing''

So, a little help? :)
 

Casiopea

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Fredrik said:
We had a discussion in our class if the word ''Uncareful'' was the right word to use. The teacher said it wasn't a English word, is that right? I'm certain I've heard that word before... She told me to use ''careless'' but that word is more ''I don't care about anything'' than uncareful that in my mind means ''you don't care about that special thing''

So, a little help? :)

Welcome :hi:

I believe you are both correct. -less is the opposite of -ful, which makes careful and careless opposites. uncarefulis not a recognized word.

There is a difference in meaning between not careful and careless,

EX: If you are not careful, you're going to fall. (i.e., If you're not cautious)
EX: I was careless. (i.e., I wasn't thinking; I was insensitive; I was not concerned about X.)

EX: I wasn't careless. (i.e., I was thinking; I was concerned about X.)
EX: I wasn't careful. (i.e., I wasn't cautious; I should have been more cautious.)

All the best, :D
 

Tdol

Editor, UsingEnglish.com
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Neither dictionary.com nor onelook.com produced any results. ;-)
 
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