a form of blindness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a form of blindness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is unable to see or understand something, either literally or metaphorically. Example: "His refusal to acknowledge the problem was a form of blindness that prevented any progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Our beliefs are a form of blindness.

The New Yorker

Yet having a mission can be a form of blindness.

The New York Times - Books

But eloquence can be a form of blindness, and a seamless literary style, an evasion.

The New Yorker

Even asking if it was O.K. to return was a form of blindness to that pain.

The New Yorker

PFIZER donates millions of doses of Zithromax to the International Trachoma Initiative, which treats a form of blindness common in central Africa.

The New York Times

Australia is the only developed country in the world that continues to grapple with trachoma, a form of blindness that can be prevented through regular face washing.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Perhaps a form of "willful blindness" has infected us all.

The Guardian

Our quantitative behavioral approach could help reveal such a form of 'kinematic blindness'.

Nature

Worldwide, more than 1.5 million people suffer from a form of inherited blindness called retinitis pigmentosa and, in an ageing population, loss of vision is increasingly common.

The Guardian

This afflicts spotted horses, particularly a breed called Appaloosas, with a form of night blindness similar to one that sometimes afflicts people.

The Economist

Thus, progressive retinal atrophy, a form of hereditary blindness, is caused in different breeds by a mutation to any one of at least seven different genes, according to Dr. Gustavo Aguirre, a professor of ophthalmology at Cornell's Baker Institute.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a form of blindness" to describe situations where a lack of awareness or understanding prevents effective action or decision-making. It's particularly useful when highlighting a failure to recognize an obvious or important aspect of a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "a form of blindness" too casually. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Reserve it for situations where the lack of understanding has significant consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a form of blindness" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject complement or object, describing a state of limited awareness or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "a form of blindness" is a valid and usable English phrase, albeit somewhat rare in its occurrence. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's used both literally and metaphorically, primarily in news, scientific, and academic contexts. This noun phrase serves to highlight a significant lack of perception or understanding, often with negative implications. When using the phrase, consider its formality and ensure its use aligns with the tone and context of your writing. Alternatives such as "lack of insight" or "limited perspective" can offer similar meaning with slightly different emphasis. Remember to avoid overuse to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a blind spot

Refers to an area where one's understanding is limited or nonexistent.

tunnel vision

Emphasizes a narrow focus that excludes other important considerations.

lack of awareness

Highlights a complete absence of knowledge or understanding.

a lack of insight

Focuses on the absence of understanding or perception.

willful ignorance

Highlights a deliberate choice to remain uninformed.

a limited perspective

Highlights the restricted viewpoint or understanding.

intellectual myopia

Implies a shortsightedness in thinking or understanding.

a failure to recognize

Emphasizes the inability to acknowledge or understand something.

perceptual distortion

Focuses on a skewed or inaccurate understanding of reality.

cognitive bias

Highlights a systematic pattern of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment.

FAQs

How can I use "a form of blindness" in a sentence?

You can use "a form of blindness" to describe a metaphorical inability to see or understand something, as in, "His unwavering loyalty to the company became "a form of blindness", preventing him from recognizing its flaws."

What's a less figurative way to express the idea behind "a form of blindness"?

Alternatives include "lack of insight", "limited perspective", or "failure to recognize", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a type of blindness" instead of "a form of blindness"?

Yes, "a type of blindness" is grammatically correct and can be used when referring to a specific kind of literal blindness. However, "a form of blindness" is generally used metaphorically to describe a lack of understanding.

What's the difference between "a blind spot" and "a form of blindness"?

"A blind spot" refers to a specific area where understanding is lacking, while "a form of blindness" suggests a more general inability to perceive or comprehend a wider situation.