I was insensitive

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "I was insensitive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to say that you treated someone in a way that was not considerate or respectful. For example: "I'm sorry, I was insensitive saying that to you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Both prompted letters and phone calls suggesting that I was insensitive to Holocaust survivors, and a few implied that I was complicitous with Nazi objectives by playing these selections.

The New York Times - Arts

While that show was in rehearsals, in 1951, Garland realized that she was pregnant; Luft firmly advised her to get an abortion ("I was as unjustified as I was insensitive"), fearing both for the show and for the publicity that would result — both he and she were still married to other people, and he knew the "strict moral code" that was publicly enforced.

The New Yorker

Bestiality is a running gag: "There's nothing wrong with fucking a male sheep, because if I did find something wrong with it, that would mean I was insensitive to the needs of the gay sheep community…" (niftily slipping an anti-gay joke in there as well).

The Guardian - Books

"This incident was thoughtless and I was insensitive to her perspective and how demeaning my conduct was towards her.

Vice

Decreases in Raw with increasing PEEP were reflected in sharp falls in SIII in Group HC, and in moderate decreases in SIII in Group MC, whereas ST-III was insensitive to changes in airway caliber in Groups LC and HL.

Critical Care

Like TAPBPR, tapasin-jun accelerated dissociation of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labelled versions of both EIYK*RWIIL and FLRGRK*YGL from HLA-B*08 01fos HLA-B*08 01fossociation of ELRSRK*whileas insensithee to tapasin-jun (Chen andissociation007).

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It precedes and is required for binding at site L which (i) is insensitive to antagonists, (ii) triggers signalling and (iii) binds the agonist quasi-irreversibly.

Plosone

Sullivan told Irish radio station Newstalk: "I think the New York Times made some pretty bad mistakes with this story and, yes, I think it was insensitive and not handled properly.

The Guardian

I thought it was insensitive and ill judged," she said.

The Guardian

I thought it was insensitive to Thomas and to his family and to our viewers".

Los Angeles Times

Once I saw it in print, I saw that it was insensitive, pernicious and ill-informed," said the British actor.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reflect on the situation that led to your insensitivity to understand the underlying causes and prevent similar situations in the future.

Common error

Don't just say "I was insensitive" without explaining what you did. Vague apologies lack sincerity and don't show genuine understanding of the impact of your actions. Always provide context and demonstrate that you understand why your behavior was inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was insensitive" functions as a statement of self-reflection and admission of fault. It indicates that the speaker recognizes their actions or words lacked consideration or empathy. Ludwig AI shows examples where this phrase is used to acknowledge causing offense or hurt.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was insensitive" is a direct way of admitting a lack of consideration or empathy in a past action or statement. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and serves as an apology, acknowledging the impact of one's behavior on others. It's most frequently used in news and media contexts, but also appears in scientific discourse. For a more effective apology, it's recommended to follow up with specific details about what made the action insensitive and what you plan to do differently in the future.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was thoughtless

Directly states the absence of careful thought or consideration.

I lacked empathy

Emphasizes the absence of understanding or sharing the feelings of another.

I showed a lack of consideration

Highlights the failure to think about the feelings or needs of others.

I failed to consider others' feelings

Highlights the omission of others' emotional states from one's decision-making process.

I acted without thinking

Focuses on the impulsiveness and lack of forethought behind the action.

I overlooked the sensitivities involved

Highlights a failure to recognize and address delicate or sensitive aspects of a situation.

I was unmindful of their situation

Points to a lack of awareness or attention to someone else's circumstances.

I didn't realize the impact of my words

Acknowledges the speaker's failure to foresee the consequences of their communication.

I misjudged the situation

Acknowledges an incorrect assessment of the circumstances, leading to an insensitive action.

I didn't mean to offend

Expresses a lack of intention to cause upset or hurt.

FAQs

What does it mean to say "I was insensitive"?

Saying "I was insensitive" means you recognize that your actions or words lacked consideration for others' feelings or circumstances. It implies a lack of awareness or empathy in a particular situation.

How can I express remorse without saying "I was insensitive"?

You can use alternatives such as "I lacked empathy", "I was thoughtless", or "I didn't mean to offend depending on the specific context.

Is it better to be specific after saying "I was insensitive"?

Yes, it's always better to be specific. Explaining the exact actions or words that were insensitive demonstrates genuine understanding and remorse, making the apology more sincere and effective.

What's the difference between saying "I was insensitive" and "I made a mistake"?

Saying "I was insensitive" acknowledges a lack of consideration for others' feelings, while "I made a mistake" is a more general admission of error. Insensitivity implies a failure of empathy or awareness, whereas a mistake could be any kind of error. Therefore, "I was insensitive" focuses on the impact on others.