born of ignorance

USAGE SUMMARY

"born of ignorance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that something has come about due to a lack of knowledge or understanding. For example: "His unpopular opinions were born of ignorance rather than malice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

But not change born of ignorance.

The New York Times

Setting up an interests section should help ensure that American policy is not born of ignorance.

The New York Times

Whenever I encounter animus toward the military at Yale, it is almost always born of ignorance.

The New York Times

Mr. Barker said negative feelings toward gay and lesbian service members were "born of ignorance and stupidity".

The New York Times

The aim of "Where Heaven and Earth Meet" is to try to dispel insensitivity born of ignorance.

The New York Times

Young Fiorello had already witnessed discrimination against Indians, but it became personal, as he got his "first glimpse of racial feeling born of ignorance".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

The record after his release suggests there was a certain naivety about Mandela, born of tutored ignorance, the product of imprisonment and deliberate isolation.

The Guardian

As our own investigations make plain (see article), Mr Berlusconi is not fit to lead the government of any country, least of all one of the world's richest democracies.Many of Mr Berlusconi's supporters, who include most of Italy's businessmen, decry such criticism as born of naivety, ignorance and malevolence.

The Economist

He says the occupation has been a disaster, however, "due mainly to a series of American mistakes born of cultural ignorance, imperial arrogance, incompetence, indiscipline and political indecisiveness".

BBC

The most cursory examination of human history reveals that governments of all stripes have enacted policies born of thoughtlessness, ignorance and cruelty.

Huffington Post

Many cumulative acts born of prejudice or ignorance could have readily discouraged or derailed me as I progressed through my career as one of a "few" women or an "only" or a "first" black woman.

Chemistry Central Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "born of ignorance", ensure the context clearly indicates that a lack of knowledge or understanding is the direct cause of the situation or outcome you are describing. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "born of ignorance" when the cause is something other than a lack of knowledge, such as malice, incompetence, or negligence. Using it inappropriately dilutes its meaning and weakens your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "born of ignorance" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its origin or cause. As shown by Ludwig, it suggests that something is a direct result of a lack of knowledge or understanding.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "born of ignorance" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that suggests something originates from a lack of knowledge or understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is more than acceptable for expressing the origins of a belief or action. While predominantly found in news and media, indicating a neutral register, it is essential to ensure the context accurately reflects a lack of knowledge as the direct cause, avoiding misattribution. Alternatives such as "stemming from lack of knowledge" or "resulting from unfamiliarity" can provide nuanced variations. When wielding this phrase, strive for precision to maintain clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stemming from lack of knowledge

Focuses on the origin being a deficiency in knowledge, similar to "born of ignorance".

resulting from unfamiliarity

Emphasizes the lack of prior experience or understanding as the cause.

arising from a lack of awareness

Highlights the absence of consciousness or realization as the root cause.

caused by lack of insight

Indicates a deficiency in understanding the deeper nature of things.

a product of limited understanding

Highlights that the result is directly linked to restricted comprehension.

originating in unawareness

Focuses on the starting point being a state of not knowing or realizing.

derived from insufficient knowledge

Emphasizes the insufficiency of the information available as the origin.

growing out of a vacuum of information

Presents the lack of information as an empty space from which something develops.

founded on misconception

Highlights that the result is directly linked to a wrong or inaccurate idea.

a consequence of unenlightenment

Emphasizes a state of lacking intellectual or spiritual understanding

FAQs

How can I use "born of ignorance" in a sentence?

You can use "born of ignorance" to describe actions, beliefs, or policies that originate from a lack of knowledge or understanding. For example, "His prejudiced views are "born of ignorance" regarding different cultures".

What phrases can I use instead of "born of ignorance"?

Alternatives include "stemming from a lack of knowledge", "resulting from unfamiliarity", or "arising from a lack of awareness". Each emphasizes the origin being a deficiency in knowledge, similar to "born of ignorance".

Is it better to say "born of ignorance" or "caused by ignorance"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "Born of ignorance" often carries a slightly more figurative or literary tone, while "caused by ignorance" is more direct and straightforward. The best choice depends on the specific context and desired style.

What's the difference between "born of ignorance" and "born of prejudice"?

"Born of ignorance" indicates that something results from a lack of knowledge or understanding, while "born of prejudice" suggests it stems from preconceived biases or negative attitudes. "Born of ignorance" highlights a lack of information, whereas "born of prejudice" highlights pre-existing biases.