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Anonymous Posted 19 years ago
Vocabulary

uncaring

Hi,

'It is too bad that uncaring people litter the streets with so much garbage every day.'

Could we use 'uncaring' here?
If so, could we also use 'indifferent' instead of 'uncaring' here?

Thanks
  

Top answer

Yes, you can use uncaring or indifferent . With uncaring it sounds like you think they should care, but don't. Indifferent is a more neutral word.

  • Yes, you can use uncaring or indifferent .
  • With uncaring it sounds like you think they should care, but don't.
  • Indifferent is a more neutral word.
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10 Answers
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Yes, you can use uncaring or indifferent. With uncaring it sounds like you think they should care, but don't. Indifferent is a more neutral word.
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Hi GG,

I appreciate your help with my question.

1.
Could we use 'unconcerned' instead of 'uncaring' without changing the meaning here?
2.
Could you please give me further explanation about what you stated: 'Indifferent is a more neutral word.'
3.
'Some people are indifferent to protecting the environment.'

could we use 'uncaring' or 'unconcerned' inst
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They are all pretty similar. I just feel (and no one else may agree) that if you say "uncaring" you are implying that the person SHOULD care. Someone who is "indifferent" simply has no interest in the matter. Disinsterested is even more remote. "Unconcerned" is somewhere between "uncaring" and "indifferent."
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Hi GG,

Thank you very much for your reply. Your explanation is very great, however, I still can't figure out your explanation about 'unconcerned'. Could you please give further and more clear explanation about it?
Thanks a lot.
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Okay, let's see.

I see my friend is crying, but I walk by as if I didn't notice. I was uncaring. It wasn't nice to do that. When your friend is upset, you should care.
I see my child is using paints, but she has put down newspapers so they won't get on the tablecloth, so I am unconcerned. I am not worred about it.
I am watching a football game. Neither team is a favorite of mine;
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Hi GG,

Thank you very much for your great further explanation. I have some doubt about 'unconcerned' after consulting dictionary. Here is about the word from different dictionaries:

[Unconcerned
~ (with sb/sth) not interested in sth: Young people are often unconcerned with political issues.]

1.If I use 'indifferent' in the sentence, as in "Young people are often
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That's interesting that the dictionary also makes a point to say "when you should be worried or interested."

Did I say that it comes in-between the words "uncaring" and "indifferent" in terms of whether the person should be worried or interested? I hope I did, and I still think so. With "uncaring" the person SHOULD care. With unconcerned, it may or may not be that the person shoul
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Grammar Geek With unconcerned, it may or may not be that the person should care.

Hi GG,

You are so kindhearted to have answered my questions, I'm very grateful.

Do you mean when using 'unconcerned', it suggests that the person should care or there is no implication that the person should care? In a word, it can be used both ways?
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It could be used either way.

The beekeeper could be unconcerned about the bees as she works on the hive (even though I would be worried that I'd be stung). She knows what she's doing, so she has no concerns about this.

On the other hand, if two people are fighting, and others walk by, unconcerned, you could think that perhaps they should be a bit more concerned!
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Thank you very much GG.

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