avoid knowing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoid knowing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of deliberately not seeking out information or understanding about a particular subject. Example: "Some people choose to avoid knowing the details of the situation to maintain their peace of mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

As most people know — or perhaps cannot avoid knowing — the couple has four children, three of them adopted, and is expecting twins this summer.

The New York Times

If he didn't it's only because he didn't want to know, that he worked hard to avoid knowing, by pointedly failing to ask anyone any questions.

Huffington Post

(It's very difficult to avoid knowing, actually).

The Guardian - Opinion

Before too long, however, they may not be able to avoid knowing them.

The New York Times

In fact, they go out of their way to avoid knowing too much about a crime.

The New York Times - Magazine

I had managed since 1999 to avoid knowing the first thing about it.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

I'd been looking forward to the seeing the film, but I was blown away by how much I didn't know - or had avoided knowing.

Huffington Post

We avoided knowing too much; the urge to repress and avert was overwhelming, not only for the victims but also for the bystanders, who understood that for whatever reason they had been left alone.

The New York Times

My God, I don't think I've even heard him curse in the entire time I've known him — let alone say, 'Hey, Pellicano, I want you to go out and do this or do that.' " Yet even some of Fields's friends believe that he either knew the private detective's methods or deliberately avoided knowing.

The New Yorker

My God, I don't think I've even heard him curse in the entire time I've known him let alone say, 'Hey, Pellicano, I want you to go out and do this or do that.' " Yet even some of Fields's friends believe that he either knew the private detective's methods or deliberately avoided knowing.

The New Yorker

As expected, fewer contemplative volunteers avoided knowing their diagnosis -- but only if they thought that TAA deficiency was treatable.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "avoid knowing" when you want to emphasize a deliberate choice not to seek or acknowledge information. It often implies a conscious effort to remain uninformed about a particular topic.

Common error

Don't use "avoid knowing" when the lack of knowledge is due to unawareness or lack of access to information, rather than a deliberate choice. In such cases, use alternatives like "not knowing" or "being unaware".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoid knowing" functions as a verb phrase expressing the deliberate action of preventing oneself from acquiring knowledge. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is readily usable in sentences describing conscious choices to remain uninformed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "avoid knowing" is a grammatically correct and usable verb phrase that describes the deliberate act of preventing oneself from gaining knowledge. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is applicable in sentences illustrating conscious decisions to remain uninformed. While not extremely common, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. The phrase conveys a sense of intentionality and is best used when highlighting a deliberate choice rather than a passive lack of awareness. When aiming for more formal language, alternatives such as "eschew awareness" or "deliberately disregard information" may be suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evade knowledge

Focuses on actively escaping or dodging the acquisition of knowledge.

shun awareness

Emphasizes deliberately rejecting or ignoring awareness of something.

ignore facts

Highlights the act of disregarding factual information.

disregard information

Implies a conscious decision to pay no attention to information.

remain ignorant

Focuses on staying in a state of unknowing, sometimes by choice.

turn a blind eye

Suggests consciously overlooking something, often something negative.

eschew understanding

Emphasizes deliberately avoiding understanding or comprehension.

block out awareness

Implies actively preventing awareness from entering one's consciousness.

suppress knowledge

Focuses on actively holding back or preventing knowledge.

refuse to learn

Highlights a direct decision not to acquire new information.

FAQs

How can I use "avoid knowing" in a sentence?

You can use "avoid knowing" to describe a deliberate choice not to be informed about something. For example, "Some people "choose to avoid knowing" the details of political issues to maintain their peace of mind."

What's a more formal alternative to "avoid knowing"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "eschew awareness" or "deliberately disregard information" to convey a similar meaning with increased formality.

Is "avoid knowing" the same as "not knowing"?

No, "avoid knowing" implies a conscious effort to remain uninformed, while "not knowing" simply indicates a lack of information, without necessarily implying a deliberate choice.

Which is correct, "avoid knowing" or "avoid to know"?

"Avoid knowing" is the correct form. "Avoid" is typically followed by a gerund (a verb ending in -ing) rather than an infinitive. For example, "I "avoid eating" junk food."