be indifferent to

USAGE SUMMARY

"be indifferent to" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which somebody doesn't care about something or is not affected by something. For example: "The students remained indifferent to the teacher's plea for better behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I cannot be indifferent to its suffering".

The New York Times

He claims to be indifferent to those who mock him.

The New York Times

You can't be indifferent to living on Sark.

Independent

Consumers, however, appear to be indifferent to them.

The New York Times - Tech

This is not something Turkey can be indifferent to.

Independent

"As a citizen you cannot be indifferent to music.

The New York Times - Arts

Some people profess to be indifferent to all of this.

The Guardian - Opinion

You can't be indifferent to an ad like that.

The Guardian

They may be indifferent to the Catholic hierarchy but still feel some sensitivity to Catholic voters.

The Economist

But he has repeatedly shown himself to be indifferent to public contempt.

The Economist

He professes to be indifferent to the politics of those he works with.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be indifferent to", ensure that the context clearly indicates whether the indifference stems from a lack of awareness, concern, or emotional response. This will help to avoid ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "be indifferent to" when you actually mean someone is ignorant or unaware of something. Indifference implies a conscious lack of concern, not necessarily a lack of knowledge. Instead of saying "He was indifferent to the risks", consider "He was unaware of the risks" if that's the accurate meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be indifferent to" functions as a verb phrase that expresses a lack of interest, concern, or emotional response towards something or someone. It indicates a state of neutrality or apathy. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is perfectly acceptable and widely used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be indifferent to" is a versatile expression used to convey a lack of interest, concern, or emotional response. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered grammatically correct and widely used across various domains, particularly in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure the context accurately reflects the intention, differentiating between a lack of concern and a lack of awareness. Be mindful of alternative expressions like "be apathetic to" or "be unconcerned about" to fine-tune the intended meaning. Remember that indifference implies a conscious lack of caring, rather than simply a lack of knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not care about

A more direct and informal way of expressing indifference, focusing on a lack of concern.

be apathetic to

Emphasizes a lack of interest or enthusiasm, similar to indifference but potentially more passive.

remain unaffected by

Highlights the lack of impact or influence, suggesting a resilience or imperviousness to something.

be unconcerned about

Focuses on a lack of worry or anxiety, suggesting a more active disregard.

be unmoved by

Highlights a lack of emotional response, indicating that something fails to evoke feelings.

be insensitive to

Suggests a lack of awareness or consideration for someone's feelings or situation.

be oblivious to

Implies a state of unawareness or inattentiveness, differing from indifference which suggests a conscious lack of interest.

be detached from

Indicates a lack of emotional connection or involvement, suggesting a more distant perspective.

be aloof from

Suggests a sense of distance or remoteness, implying a more deliberate separation.

be disinterested in

Emphasizes a lack of personal interest or motivation, implying a neutral stance rather than active apathy.

FAQs

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

You can use "be indifferent to" to describe a state of not caring or being uninterested in something. For example: "The government cannot "be indifferent to" the needs of its citizens" or "Many people "are indifferent to" politics".

What are some alternatives to saying "be indifferent to"?

Alternatives to "be indifferent to" include "be apathetic to", "be unconcerned about", or "not care about". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "be indifferent to" or "be uninterested in"?

"Be indifferent to" suggests a lack of concern or emotional response, while "be uninterested in" simply means lacking interest. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize a lack of caring or just a lack of interest. For example, someone might "be uninterested in" a sport, but "be indifferent to" the suffering of others suggests a more profound lack of empathy.

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

"Be indifferent to" implies a conscious lack of concern or emotional response, while "be oblivious to" implies a lack of awareness or knowledge. Someone can "be indifferent to" a problem they know exists, but someone "be oblivious to" a problem is simply unaware of it.