be oblivious to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be oblivious to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone who is unaware of or does not notice something happening around them. Example: "Despite the loud arguments in the next room, she seemed to be oblivious to the chaos."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Although Westwood would be oblivious to exactly how tantalising.

Independent

We continue to be oblivious to trade possibilities.

The New York Times

We, as parents, shouldn't be oblivious to who taught them that, and who can change it.

The New York Times

I knew they'd be oblivious to what makes the Pines irksome to me.

The New York Times - Style

But she appears to be oblivious to the protocol of the actor interview.

The Guardian - Film

This type focuses on performance and accomplishing tasks, but can be oblivious to the emotional needs of themselves and others.

The New York Times

He could sometimes be oblivious to subtleties in Degas, a point reinforced by two sculptures of pregnant women.

The New York Times - Arts

"Inside that cocoon you tend to be oblivious to the role the surrounding ecostructure plays in your success.

The New York Times - Magazine

"You had to claim that space, and you had to be oblivious to whatever was alien, like people passing by".

The New York Times

Just as he suffered from his standoffish approach with Congress, donors and his base, our feline president can be oblivious to the neediness of other less Zen leaders.

The New York Times

At the same time, he acknowledged, "You can't be oblivious to the growing war-weariness at home and the diminishing support in the Congress".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the context: "be oblivious to" can sometimes imply a negative connotation, suggesting negligence or lack of concern. Use synonyms if a more neutral tone is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "be oblivious to" when describing simple lack of knowledge. The phrase often implies a degree of negligence or fault. Instead, use "unaware of" or "ignorant of" if the lack of awareness is not blameworthy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be oblivious to" functions as an adjective phrase, indicating a state of unawareness or inattentiveness. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in describing someone's lack of perception regarding their surroundings or a particular situation, highlighting its descriptive role in sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

22%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be oblivious to" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a state of unawareness, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. With numerous examples spanning diverse fields like news, science, and general writing, the phrase's frequency underscores its broad applicability. However, it's important to remember that while "be oblivious to" shares semantic space with alternatives like "be unaware of" or "be ignorant of", it often carries an implication of negligence or a failure to notice something important. Therefore, writers should consider the context carefully to ensure the chosen phrase accurately conveys the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be unaware of

Indicates a general lack of knowledge or perception.

be ignorant of

Implies a lack of knowledge, sometimes suggesting a willful avoidance of information.

be unconscious of

Suggests a state of not being aware, often implying a deeper level of unawareness.

be heedless of

Implies a disregard or inattention to something important.

be insensible to

Suggests a lack of emotional or physical feeling towards something.

be insensitive to

Implies a lack of understanding or consideration for the feelings of others.

be blind to

Suggests a metaphorical inability to see or understand something obvious.

turn a blind eye to

Implies conscious avoidance of something one should address.

pay no attention to

Indicates a deliberate choice to ignore something.

disregard

Implies actively ignoring something.

FAQs

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

You can use "be oblivious to" to describe someone who is unaware of their surroundings or a particular situation. For example: "The driver seemed to "be oblivious to" the traffic jam ahead".

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

"Be oblivious to" often implies a stronger sense of not noticing something that should be noticed, whereas "be unaware of" is a more general term for not knowing something.

What are some synonyms for "be oblivious to"?

Some synonyms for "be oblivious to" include "be unaware of", "be ignorant of", "be unconscious of", and "be heedless of".

Is it ever incorrect to use "be oblivious to"?

It's not grammatically incorrect, but consider the context. If you want to convey simple lack of knowledge without implying negligence, a phrase like "be unaware of" might be more appropriate.