are blind to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are blind to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a lack of awareness or understanding of something. Example: "Many people are blind to the consequences of their actions on the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Admissions are blind to country of origin.

The New York Times

They are blind to what they don't wish to see.

University of California, Berkeley

We are blind to small things and small people".

The Guardian - Books

Probably most important, we are blind to lost time opportunities.

The New York Times

We are blind to Asian-Americans on welfare.

The New York Times

Or that other thing some people are blind to: sarcasm.

The Guardian - Opinion

But great sportsmen like Senna are blind to themselves.

The Guardian - Sport

His fans are blind to any faults he might have.

The New York Times - Food

The laws governing street stops are blind to gender.

The New York Times

China bashers are blind to these critical points.

The New York Times

But why are some people able to see this line while others are blind to it?

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are blind to" to effectively convey a lack of awareness or understanding, particularly when emphasizing a failure to recognize something obvious or important.

Common error

While "are blind to" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Consider more nuanced alternatives like "are unaware of" or "fail to recognize" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are blind to" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it's used to describe a subject's lack of awareness or understanding. It highlights a failure to perceive or comprehend something, often something obvious or important.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are blind to" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a lack of awareness or understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it frequently appears in news and media, academia, and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider more nuanced alternatives like "are unaware of" or "fail to recognize" in highly formal settings. When writing, use "are blind to" to effectively convey a failure to perceive something obvious, but be mindful of overuse and context. The prevalence of this phrase in authoritative sources suggests its reliability in expressing a critical lack of perception.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are unaware of

Focuses on a general lack of knowledge or consciousness about something, shifting the emphasis slightly from active blindness to passive unawareness.

fail to recognize

Highlights a failure in the process of acknowledging or identifying something, suggesting a more active oversight.

are oblivious to

Emphasizes a state of being completely unaware and unconcerned, implying a stronger detachment from the subject.

are ignorant of

Indicates a lack of knowledge or information, often implying a need for education or awareness.

are insensitive to

Suggests a lack of emotional or empathetic understanding, focusing on the emotional impact rather than simple unawareness.

overlook

Implies a conscious but unintentional failure to notice or consider something important.

are deaf to

Highlights an unwillingness to listen or pay attention, suggesting a deliberate disregard for information.

disregard

Implies a conscious decision to ignore or dismiss something, suggesting a more active rejection of information.

are unmindful of

Suggests a lack of attention or consideration, emphasizing a mental absence rather than active oversight.

are unconscious of

Focuses on a complete absence of awareness, often suggesting a deeper, perhaps psychological, lack of recognition.

FAQs

What does "are blind to" mean?

The phrase "are blind to" means to be unaware of or to fail to understand something, often something that is obvious to others.

What can I say instead of "are blind to"?

You can use alternatives like "are unaware of", "fail to recognize", or "are oblivious to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "are blind to the fact that"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "are blind to the fact that". It emphasizes that the lack of awareness pertains to a specific piece of information.

How do I use "are blind to" in a sentence?

You can use "are blind to" to describe someone's lack of understanding or awareness. For example: "Many people are blind to the environmental consequences of their actions."