In the English language, the word indiscriminate carries a powerful meaning that is often used in both casual and formal contexts. It describes actions or behaviors that lack careful judgment, selection, or distinction. You might come across the term in news topics, academic papers, or everyday conversations where someone wants to emphasize a lack of control or fairness. To use this word correctly, it’s important to understand the part of speech of indiscriminate, how it fits into a sentence, and what kinds of messages it conveys. This topic explores its grammatical function, related word forms, usage examples, and tips for incorporating it naturally into your speech and writing.
Definition and Meaning of Indiscriminate
The word indiscriminate generally refers to actions that are done without careful choice, distinction, or thought. It often carries a negative connotation, implying carelessness, unfairness, or a lack of responsibility. It can be used to describe a range of things, from violence and decisions to friendships and spending habits.
Here are some examples of how the word is used:
- The bombing caused indiscriminate damage to civilian areas.
- He had an indiscriminate appetite for all kinds of books.
- Indiscriminate hiring practices can lead to organizational chaos.
Part of Speech: Adjective
The primary part of speech for indiscriminate is anadjective. As an adjective, it is used to describe or modify nouns by giving more information about their qualities. Indiscriminate tells us that the noun it refers to is lacking in selectivity or discernment.
Attributive and Predicative Use
Adjectives in English are used in two main ways: attributively and predicatively. Indiscriminate follows this same pattern.
- Attributive: The adjective comes before the noun.
- Predicative: The adjective comes after a linking verb like is, seems, or became.
Examples:
- Attributive: The indiscriminate attack shocked the entire community.
- Predicative: Their actions were indiscriminate and harmful.
In both examples, the adjective helps clarify the type or nature of the action or object being discussed.
Common Nouns Modified by Indiscriminate
There are specific nouns that often appear with the word indiscriminate, especially in media and formal writing. Recognizing these collocations can help you use the word naturally and effectively.
- Indiscriminate violence
- Indiscriminate killing
- Indiscriminate use
- Indiscriminate destruction
- Indiscriminate choice
- Indiscriminate application
These combinations show how the word usually points to a lack of targeting, planning, or fairness. The emphasis is often on randomness or recklessness.
Synonyms and Related Words
Indiscriminate has several synonyms and similar adjectives that can be used depending on the tone or context. Understanding these helps expand your vocabulary and lets you choose the most precise word.
- Random
- Unselective
- Careless
- Haphazard
- Thoughtless
- Unplanned
Each of these has slightly different implications. For instance, haphazard suggests disorder, while random implies a lack of pattern. Indiscriminate suggests both a lack of selection and often a negative result.
Word Origin and Etymology
The word indiscriminate is formed by adding the prefix in- (meaning not) to discriminate, which comes from the Latin verbdiscriminare, meaning to distinguish or to separate. So, indiscriminate literally means not distinguishing or not separating.
This origin reflects the word’s current usage to describe something done without making distinctions, either intentionally or through neglect.
Related Forms of the Word
Although indiscriminate is an adjective, there are several related forms that belong to other parts of speech. These variations allow you to express the same core idea in different grammatical ways.
- Noun: Indiscrimination– The policy led to the indiscrimination of innocent people.
- Adverb: Indiscriminately– They fired indiscriminately into the crowd.
Indiscriminately is particularly useful when describing how an action was carried out, while indiscrimination can describe the concept or result of not making distinctions.
Comparative and Superlative Forms
Indiscriminate does not typically have a comparative or superlative form because it expresses a concept that is either present or not. However, in informal writing, it is possible to hear phrases like:
- More indiscriminate than before.
- The most indiscriminate use of power we’ve seen.
These forms are used more for emphasis than for strict grammatical accuracy and are usually found in rhetorical or persuasive contexts.
Examples in Sentences
Let’s explore more complete sentences that demonstrate the use of indiscriminate in everyday English:
- The indiscriminate dumping of waste has polluted the river beyond repair.
- She was criticized for her indiscriminate trust in strangers.
- Indiscriminate spending will eventually lead to financial trouble.
- He condemned the indiscriminate labeling of all opposition as traitors.
In each case, the word helps add detail and judgment to the sentence, indicating that the action or behavior was careless or unselective.
Usage in Formal and Informal Contexts
Indiscriminate is most often used in formal contexts such as journalism, academic writing, or official reports. It is less common in casual speech but may still be used in conversations where precision and clarity are important.
For example:
- Formal: The indiscriminate targeting of civilians is a violation of international law.
- Informal: He watches shows indiscriminately, without caring about genre or quality.
The tone of the word often remains serious, so even in casual contexts, it can sound a bit weighty or dramatic.
When Not to Use Indiscriminate
While indiscriminate is a useful adjective, it may not always be the best word choice. In situations where the meaning doesn’t involve selection, targeting, or control, using indiscriminate could feel awkward or unclear. Also, because of its serious tone, using it for light or humorous situations can sound overly intense.
For example, saying He’s an indiscriminate eater is technically correct but might sound more formal than saying He eats everything. Understanding the emotional tone of your message can help guide when to use it.
Grammatical Role of Indiscriminate
In summary, indiscriminate is an adjective that describes something done without judgment, control, or careful selection. It brings clarity and seriousness to writing and speech, especially when discussing issues like violence, policy, behavior, or decision-making. As an adjective, it fits naturally before or after nouns and is commonly used in formal language. Related forms such as indiscriminately and indiscrimination give additional flexibility to the word’s usage. Understanding how to use indiscriminate appropriately allows you to communicate more precisely and powerfully in a variety of contexts.