are indifferent to

USAGE SUMMARY

"are indifferent to" is correct and usable in written English.
Usually, it is used to describe someone who does not care about something or who is not passionate or excited about something. For example: Although everyone else was very excited about the upcoming holiday party, I was indifferent to it and didn't care if I went or not.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Most Australians are indifferent to it and in the end indifference amounts to a political attitude".

The Guardian - Sport

The Audubon Society are indifferent to the movement.

The New Yorker

They are indifferent to his deeper pain.

The Guardian - Books

No, these ads are indifferent to gender.

The New York Times

The nouns are indifferent to their surroundings.

The New York Times

"Our schools are indifferent to instructional effectiveness," the study declared.

The New Yorker

They are indifferent to caskets, urns and obsequies.

The New York Times

Both are indifferent to marrying within their traditional south Indian community.

The New York Times

History provides little support to the hypothesis that Western donors are indifferent to Pakistani suffering.

The New York Times

None of this means that Europeans are indifferent to recessions or unemployment.

The New Yorker

Even those like me, who are indifferent to cod, found this delicious.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are indifferent to" when you want to convey a neutral lack of interest or concern, without necessarily implying negativity or criticism. For example, "Many consumers are indifferent to the brand name if the product quality is high."

Common error

Avoid using "are indifferent to" when you mean someone is simply unaware or uninformed. Indifference implies a conscious lack of concern, not a lack of knowledge. For example, instead of saying "They are indifferent to the new regulations," consider "They are unaware of the new regulations" if lack of awareness is the issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are indifferent to" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a subject's state of feeling or attitude. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates a lack of interest or concern about something. The examples show its use in expressing a neutral lack of interest, not necessarily negative.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are indifferent to" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe a lack of interest or concern. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. Its neutral register and broad applicability make it suitable for various contexts, from news reports to scientific papers. When using this phrase, ensure that you are accurately conveying a lack of concern rather than ignorance or active dislike. Alternatives like "are apathetic towards" or "are unmoved by" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Remember to choose the phrase that best reflects the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

couldn't care less about

Expresses a strong lack of interest or concern, often used idiomatically to convey extreme apathy.

are disinterested in

Implies a lack of interest or curiosity, suggesting a voluntary detachment.

are apathetic towards

Indicates a lack of interest or concern, emphasizing a passive disengagement.

are unconcerned about

Emphasizes a lack of worry or anxiety, suggesting a state of tranquility.

are unmoved by

Suggests a lack of emotional response or influence, implying a resistance to being affected.

are unresponsive to

Highlights a failure to react or respond, indicating a detachment from external stimuli.

are impervious to

Indicates an inability to be affected or influenced, highlighting a strong resistance.

are oblivious to

Suggests a lack of awareness or recognition, implying a state of unawareness.

are detached from

Indicates a separation or disconnection, implying a lack of involvement or engagement.

are insensitive to

Highlights a lack of emotional awareness or understanding, suggesting a failure to empathize.

FAQs

How can I use "are indifferent to" in a sentence?

Use "are indifferent to" when you want to express a lack of interest or concern about something. For example, "Many voters "are uninterested in" the details of the budget, but care about the overall impact."

What's the difference between "are indifferent to" and "are apathetic to"?

While both express a lack of concern, "are indifferent to" suggests a neutral lack of interest, whereas "are apathetic to" implies a lack of motivation or emotional response. A person "are apathetic to" something might not care because they feel powerless to change it.

What are some alternatives to using "are indifferent to"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "are unmoved by", "are unconcerned about", or "couldn't care less about" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it ever wrong to use "are indifferent to"?

While grammatically correct, using "are indifferent to" may be inappropriate if you intend to convey strong opposition or dislike. Indifference is a lack of concern, not active hostility. Choose a more suitable phrase if you want to show active opposition, such as "oppose to" or "against".