Past Tense of ‘Remiss’: Usage, Forms, Examples & Rules

Understanding how to express past negligence using the adjective “remiss” is crucial for mastering precise English grammar. Many learners mistakenly believe “remiss” behaves like a verb and try to form a nonexistent past tense such as remissed. This comprehensive guide will clarify that misconception, explain the correct ways to express past negligence, and provide numerous examples, tables, and practice exercises. Whether you’re a student, ESL learner, teacher, writer, or editor, this resource will deepen your understanding of adjective versus verb distinctions and improve your communication skills.

We’ll explore the meaning and grammatical classification of “remiss,” analyze common sentence structures, compare it with alternative verbs, and show how to correctly express past states of negligence. The article also covers frequent mistakes to avoid, advanced stylistic nuances, and answers to common questions—all supported by detailed examples and exercises.

3. Definition Section
4. Structural Breakdown
5. Types or Categories
6. Examples Section
7. Usage Rules
8. Common Mistakes
9. Practice Exercises
10. Advanced Topics
11. FAQ Section
12. Conclusion

3. Definition Section

3.1. What is ‘Remiss’?

“Remiss” is an adjective that means negligent, careless, or lacking proper attention to one’s duties or responsibilities.

It originates from the Latin word remissus, meaning “relaxed” or “slackened,” which passed into Old French before entering English. Because it describes a state or quality rather than an action, it is not a verb and therefore has no conjugated past tense form.

3.2. Grammatical Classification

Part of Speech: Adjective

Function: Modifies nouns or pronouns to describe a state of carelessness or negligence.

Usual Position:

Before a noun (rare): a remiss employee
After linking verbs (common): She was remiss.

3.3. Usage Contexts

“Remiss” is commonly used:

After linking verbs like am, is, was, were, had been to indicate a present or past state of negligence.
In formal or semi-formal language, such as reports, official statements, or polite apologies.
To describe past negligence by combining it with past tense forms of “be”: was remiss, were remiss.

3.4. Why ‘Past Tense of Remiss’ is Misleading

Because “remiss” is an adjective, it does not have a direct past tense form like verbs do. There is no word such as remissed or remissing.

To express past negligence, English speakers instead use:

Past tense linking verbs + remiss: He was remiss.
Alternative verbs: He neglected his duties., She overlooked the warning., or They failed to respond.

4. Structural Breakdown

4.1. Adjective + Linking Verb Construction

Since “remiss” is an adjective, expressing past negligence usually involves combining it with a past tense form of the verb “to be”:

He was remiss in his responsibilities.
They were remiss in their follow-up.

This construction describes a past state rather than an action.

4.2. Expressing Past Negligence with Verbs

When focusing on actions, English favors using past tense verbs such as:

Neglected – failed to care for or perform
Overlooked – missed or failed to notice
Failed – did not do something expected

Expression Type	Example
Adjective + linking verb	She was remiss in updating the files.
Past tense action verb	She neglected to update the files.

4.3. Typical Sentence Patterns

Pattern	Example	Notes
Subject + was/were + remiss	The manager was remiss in her oversight.	Describes past state
Subject + past tense verb	The manager neglected her oversight.	Focuses on the action

4.4. Modifiers with ‘Remiss’

“Remiss” can be modified with adverbs to indicate degree:

extremely remiss
somewhat remiss
a little remiss
rather remiss

Comparative forms like more remiss and most remiss are possible but less common.

4.5. Summary Table: Expressing Past Negligence

Correct Expression	Example	Notes
Subject + was/were + remiss	They were remiss in filing the forms.	Past state
Subject + past tense verb (neglected)	They neglected to file the forms.	Past action
Subject + past tense verb (failed)	They failed to file the forms.	Past action
Note: There is no word like remissed.

5. Types or Categories

5.1. Using ‘Remiss’ with Past Tense Linking Verbs

Common structures include:

was remiss – singular subject
were remiss – plural subject
had been remiss – past perfect

Examples:

The supervisor was remiss in scheduling the meeting.
The staff were remiss in updating records.

5.2. Alternative Past Tense Expressions

Alternative verbs for past negligence:

Neglected
Overlooked
Omitted
Failed
Missed
Skipped

Phrasal verbs:

Fell short
Slipped up

Example: The technician overlooked the safety check.

5.3. Degrees of Negligence

Degree	Modifier	Example
Slight	a bit, somewhat	She was somewhat remiss in her response.
Moderate	rather, fairly	The team was rather remiss about deadlines.
Severe	extremely, very	The company was extremely remiss during the audit.

5.4. Related Noun Forms

Remissness is a noun meaning “the quality of being remiss.” It is formal and rare.

Past negligence can be expressed with noun phrases:

His remissness was evident yesterday.
Her remissness caused the mistake.

6. Examples Section

6.1. Basic Past Contexts

She was remiss in submitting the report.
They were remiss about following safety protocols.
I was remiss in thanking you for your help.
He was remiss in checking the figures.
The company was remiss during the inspection.

6.2. Formal Writing Examples

The board found that the supervisor had been remiss in enforcing regulations.
The agency was remiss in addressing the concerns raised.
The committee was remiss in providing timely feedback.
The auditor noted that the firm had been remiss in documentation.
It would be remiss of us not to mention these issues.

6.3. Conversational Examples

I was kind of remiss about calling my mom last week.
We were pretty remiss in checking the details.
Sorry, I was remiss in replying sooner.
Honestly, I was remiss in following up.
They were a bit remiss in cleaning up after the party.

6.4. Using Alternative Verbs

He neglected his duties.
She failed to notice the error.
They overlooked the warning signs.
We omitted an important step.
The staff missed the deadline.
I forgot to send the email.

6.5. Complex Sentences with ‘Remiss’

While the team was otherwise thorough, they were remiss in documenting the last step.
The company admitted it had been remiss during previous inspections.
Although he usually performs well, he was remiss in this instance.
If we had not been remiss, the issue might have been avoided.
She acknowledged that she was remiss in following up with clients.

6.6. Examples of Incorrect Usage

Incorrect: He remissed the deadline.
Incorrect: She have remissed her task.
Incorrect: They remissing their duties.
Incorrect: I will remiss the appointment.
Incorrect: He remisses his work daily.

6.7. Tables with Examples

Table 1: Correct Uses of “was/were remiss”

Example	Context
She was remiss in updating the files.	Past state
They were remiss during the audit.	Past state
He had been remiss in his obligations.	Earlier past

Table 2: Alternative Verbs Expressing Past Negligence

Verb	Example	Meaning
Neglected	He neglected his duties.	Failed to care
Overlooked	She overlooked the warning.	Failed to notice
Failed	They failed to respond.	Did not do
Omitted	We omitted that step.	Left out

Table 3: Degrees of Remissness with Modifiers

Modifier	Example
Somewhat	She was somewhat remiss.
Rather	They were rather remiss.
Extremely	The company was extremely remiss.

Table 4: Formal vs. Informal Examples

Register	Example
Formal	The committee was remiss in oversight.
Informal	I was kind of remiss about calling back.

Table 5: Correct vs. Incorrect Forms Comparison

Incorrect	Correct
He remissed the deadline.	He was remiss in meeting the deadline.
She have remissed her work.	She has been remiss in her work.
They remissing their duties.	They were remiss in their duties.

7. Usage Rules

7.1. Correctly Expressing Past Negligence

Use past forms of “be” + remiss for past states: was/were/had been remiss.
Use past tense of an action verb for past actions: neglected, failed, overlooked.

7.2. Avoiding ‘Remiss’ as a Verb

Never conjugate “remiss” as if it were a verb.
No forms such as remissed, remissing, remisses exist.

7.3. Choosing Between ‘Remiss’ and Alternative Verbs

Use remiss to describe a state or quality.
Use action verbs like neglected or failed when focusing on specific actions or failures.

7.4. Common Exceptions and Special Cases

Idiomatic phrase: Not remiss in mentioning – used to politely introduce a comment.
Passive voice: More natural with verbs: The report was neglected.
Rarely used with “remiss”: *The report was remissed* (incorrect).

7.5. Tense Consistency in Sentences

Ensure that all verbs in a sentence describing past events are in the past tense:

Incorrect: He was remiss and neglects his duties.
Correct: He was remiss and neglected his duties.
Incorrect: They were remiss but forget to apologize.
Correct: They were remiss but forgot to apologize.

8. Common Mistakes

8.1. Treating ‘Remiss’ as a Verb

Incorrect: He remissed his work.
Correct: He was remiss in his work.

8.2. Incorrect Verb Conjugation

Incorrect: They have remissed.
Correct: They have been remiss.

8.3. Mixing Up Adjective and Verb Usage

Incorrect: She remisses her duties every day.
Correct: She neglects her duties every day.

8.4. Confusing ‘Remiss’ with ‘Remit’

“Remit” is a verb meaning “to send money” or “to cancel a penalty.”

Past tense of remit: remitted

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
remiss	Adjective	negligent, careless	He was remiss in his duties.
remit	Verb	send money, cancel penalty	He remitted the payment yesterday.

8.5. Wrong Tense Agreement

Incorrect: He was remiss and neglects his duties.
Correct: He was remiss and neglected his duties.

8.6. Incorrect Collocations

Incorrect: She was remiss to reply.
Correct: She was remiss in replying.

9. Practice Exercises

9.1. Fill-in-the-Blank

The manager ______ remiss in addressing the complaint.
Answer: was
They ______ remiss during the last audit.
Answer: were
He ______ been remiss in following up.
Answer: had
The technician ______ overlooked an important step.
Answer: (has/had)
We ______ remiss about updating the software.
Answer: were

9.2. Identify Errors and Correct Them

They remissed their responsibilities.
Correction: They were remiss in their responsibilities.
She have remissed the deadline.
Correction: She has been remiss about the deadline.
He remissing his duties yesterday.
Correction: He was remiss in his duties yesterday.
I remissed to call you back.
Correction: I was remiss in calling you back.
They remisses the safety checks.
Correction: They neglected the safety checks.

9.3. Multiple Choice

Select the correct past expression:
a) He remissed
b) He was remiss
c) He remissing

Answer: b) He was remiss
Choose the correct:
a) She have remissed
b) She was remiss
c) She remisses

Answer: b) She was remiss
Pick the right form:
a) They were remiss
b) They remissed
c) They remisses

Answer: a) They were remiss
Identify the correct version:
a) He remissed the payment
b) He was remiss in the payment
c) He has remissed

Answer: b) He was remiss in the payment
Which is correct?
a) She neglected her duties
b) She remissed her duties
c) She remissing her duties

Answer: a) She neglected her duties

9.4. Sentence Construction

Use ‘remiss’ and appropriate verbs to make past tense sentences:

Doctor who failed to check symptoms

Sample: The doctor was remiss in checking the symptoms.
Teacher who forgot to assign homework

Sample: The teacher was remiss in assigning homework.
Employee who missed a deadline

Sample: The employee was remiss in meeting the deadline.
Team who failed to follow instructions

Sample: The team was remiss in following instructions.
Manager who overlooked a customer complaint

Sample: The manager was remiss in addressing the complaint.

9.5. Matching Exercise

Verb	Definition
Neglected	Failed to care for
Overlooked	Missed noticing
Failed	Did not do something expected
Omitted	Left out intentionally or unintentionally
Forgot	Did not remember

10. Advanced Topics

10.1. Stylistic Nuances

“Remiss” conveys a state or quality and is often used in formal or polite contexts, sometimes to soften criticism.

Alternative verbs like “neglected” or “failed” are more direct and action-focused, often sounding stronger or blunter.

10.2. Passive vs. Active Voice in Expressing Negligence

Active: The manager neglected to respond.
Passive: The complaint was neglected by the manager.
Using “was remiss” is not passive but a description of state.
Passive constructions with “remiss” (e.g., The task was remissed) are incorrect.

10.3. Remiss in Legal and Formal Writing

In legal or official documents, “remiss” often appears to describe a party’s failure to fulfill duties without directly accusing them of wrongdoing:

The institution was remiss in supervising its employees.
The board had been remiss in its fiduciary responsibilities.
The agency was found remiss during oversight.

10.4. Comparative and Superlative Forms

Though rare, “remiss” can be used comparatively:

She was more remiss last year than this year.
Of all the staff, he was the most remiss in record keeping.

10.5. Complex Tense Combinations

Past perfect: The company had been remiss before the policy change.
Modal + perfect: She might have been remiss in her duties.
Conditional: If we had not been remiss, the error could have been avoided.

11. FAQ Section

Is ‘remiss’ a verb?
No. “Remiss” is an adjective describing a state of negligence or carelessness, not a verb.
What is the past tense of ‘remiss’?
There is no past tense of “remiss” because it is not a verb. Use past forms of “be” (was/were) + remiss, or past tense verbs like neglected.
Can you say ‘remissed’?
No. “Remissed” is incorrect. “Remiss” cannot be conjugated as a verb.
How do I express past negligence correctly using ‘remiss’?
Use was/were/had been remiss, combined with context: She was remiss in her duties.
What verbs can replace ‘remiss’ in the past tense?
Use verbs like neglected, failed, overlooked, omitted.
Is ‘was remiss’ formal or informal?
It is somewhat formal, suitable for reports, apologies, or polite statements.
Can ‘remiss’ be used in present or future tenses?
Yes. Present: She is remiss. Future: If you are remiss again, there will be consequences.
What’s the difference between ‘remiss’ and ‘remit’?
“Remiss” is an adjective meaning negligent.
“Remit” is a verb meaning to send money or forgive a penalty.
Past tense of “remit” is remitted.
Is ‘more remiss’ grammatically correct?
Yes, though less common, “more remiss” is correct for comparison: He was more remiss than his colleague.
What are some synonyms for ‘remiss’?
Negligent, careless, inattentive, lax, slack, neglectful.
How to avoid common mistakes with ‘remiss’?
Remember it is only an adjective, never a verb.
Use it with linking verbs.
Do not try to conjugate it.
Are there idioms or phrases with ‘remiss’?
A common phrase is “I would be remiss not to mention…”, used to politely add important information.

12. Conclusion

In summary, “remiss” is an adjective describing a state of negligence, not a verb. It does not have a past tense form such as remissed.

To express past negligence, use:

Past tense forms of “to be” + remiss: was remiss, were remiss, had been remiss.
Past tense action verbs like neglected, failed, overlooked.

Understanding the distinction between adjectives and verbs helps avoid errors and improves clarity and professionalism in writing and speech.

Review the examples, tables, rules, and practice exercises above to reinforce your understanding. For further mastery, study related topics such as adjective usage, verb tenses, and expressing actions in the past.

With practice, you’ll confidently and accurately express past negligence in English—without ever inventing the incorrect “remissed.”

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