be ignorant of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be ignorant of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a lack of knowledge or awareness about a particular subject or situation. Example: "He seemed to be ignorant of the recent changes in the law that affected his business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Puttick said: "Although decision-makers are entitled to ignore evidence, they are not entitled to be ignorant of it".

The Guardian

No psychology student can be ignorant of what it is.

The New York Times

They are certainly likely to be ignorant of the place.

The Economist

"It would be ignorant of us not to participate.

The New York Times

Firms may be ignorant of the markets they are entering.

The Economist

Without advance directives, even a loving child may be ignorant of her parent's wishes.

The New York Times

But he believes that other fishermen may simply be ignorant of the potential hazards.

The New York Times

But many firms, especially in poor countries, still seem to be ignorant of the legal dangers.

The Economist

Irving himself claims to be ignorant of the extreme right-wing ideology of his hosts.

The Guardian - Books

The official seemed to be ignorant of basic information on domestic violence.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Agents without the sophistication to disbelieve meta-linguistic propositions can nonetheless be ignorant of an identity.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and choose a synonym if "be ignorant of" sounds too harsh or judgmental. Alternatives like "be unaware of" or "be uninformed about" can be more neutral.

Common error

Avoid using "be ignorant of" when a more nuanced term is appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "He was ignorant of the complexities of the situation", consider a phrasing such as "He underestimated the intricacies involved" to avoid sounding overly critical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be ignorant of" functions as a verb phrase that describes a state of lacking knowledge or awareness. As Ludwig AI explains, it signifies not knowing something, often implying a negative judgment or expectation of knowledge. Many examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts, highlighting its role in expressing a deficiency in understanding or information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

34%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be ignorant of" is a common verb phrase used to indicate a lack of knowledge or awareness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. While grammatically sound, its impact can range from neutral to critical, depending on the context. As such, careful selection of synonyms like "be unaware of" or "be uninformed about" may be needed to avoid unintended negative connotations. The phrase is prevalent in news, science, and academic writing, highlighting its broad applicability across diverse domains. Using this analysis of "be ignorant of", writers can make informed choices to communicate effectively and avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be unaware of

Indicates a lack of awareness, similar to "be ignorant of" but often implies a less active state of not knowing.

be uninformed about

Focuses on a lack of information, suggesting that the person hasn't received the necessary details.

be oblivious to

Implies a lack of perception or attention to something, suggesting a more passive state of ignorance.

be unacquainted with

Suggests a lack of familiarity or experience with something.

have no knowledge of

A straightforward way of stating a lack of knowledge.

be unconscious of

Suggests a lack of awareness at a subconscious level.

be blind to

Implies a willful or unintentional failure to recognize something obvious.

be in the dark about

Suggests a state of being uninformed, often implying secrecy or a deliberate withholding of information.

not know about

A simple and direct way to express a lack of knowledge.

be naive about

Implies a lack of experience or sophistication, leading to a lack of understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "be ignorant of" in a sentence?

You can use "be ignorant of" to describe a lack of knowledge about something. For example, "Many people "are unaware of" the environmental impact of their daily habits, showing they "be ignorant of" these critical effects."

What are some alternatives to "be ignorant of"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "be unaware of", "be uninformed about", or "lack knowledge of", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "be ignorant of" or "not know about"?

"Be ignorant of" and "not know about" both indicate a lack of knowledge, but "be ignorant of" can sometimes sound more critical or imply a blameworthy lack of awareness. "Not know about" is generally a more neutral and less judgmental way to express the same idea.

What's the difference between "be ignorant of" and "be oblivious to"?

"Be ignorant of" refers to a lack of knowledge or information. "Be oblivious to", on the other hand, suggests a lack of awareness or attention, often implying that someone is not noticing something that is happening around them, even if they have the capacity to know about it.