claimed ignorance

USAGE SUMMARY

"claimed ignorance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone denies knowledge of a certain topic. For example, "When asked about the company's financial situation, the CEO claimed ignorance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

But people in power claimed ignorance.

The New York Times

Papaconstantinou's successor, Evangelos Venizelos, initially claimed ignorance.

The New Yorker

The chief minister blithely claimed ignorance or powerlessness.

The Economist

The world once claimed ignorance of the Nazi atrocities.

The Guardian - Opinion

So Muslims shouldn't celebrate it.' He claimed ignorance of the call for execution I had heard.

The New Yorker

This lawyer was unfamiliar with their case and, worse, claimed ignorance of any modification.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

It became common for black troopers accused of disobeying or ignoring commands to claim ignorance of the language in which they had been ordered.

Wikipedia

To ignore their plight is just as bad as claiming ignorance of paedophile priests.

The Guardian - Opinion

You can't claim ignorance anymore.

The New York Times - Sports

Ruff blithely claims ignorance of technology.

The New York Times

She claims ignorance of abuses during her rule.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "claimed ignorance", ensure the context clearly indicates whether the claim is genuine or disingenuous. Consider adding adverbs (e.g., "genuinely claimed ignorance", "falsely claimed ignorance") to clarify the speaker's intent.

Common error

Avoid automatically assuming a claim of ignorance is truthful. Investigate the context and available evidence to determine the validity of the claim before presenting it as fact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "claimed ignorance" functions as a verbal construction used to report someone's assertion of a lack of knowledge regarding a particular matter. It highlights a denial of awareness, as evidenced by numerous examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "claimed ignorance" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to report someone's assertion of a lack of knowledge. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly news and media. The phrase conveys a denial of awareness, often with an implicit questioning of the speaker's truthfulness. Alternatives include "pleaded ignorance" and "professed ignorance", each adding nuances to the meaning. When using this phrase, it's crucial to consider the context to determine if the claim is genuine or disingenuous. In summary, while frequently used, careful consideration of context is key to proper interpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

denied knowing

A simple and direct way of saying someone claimed they didn't know something.

pleaded ignorance

Emphasizes a formal or legal setting where ignorance is used as a defense.

disavowed knowledge

Similar to 'denied knowing' but with a slightly stronger sense of distancing oneself from the information.

professed ignorance

Highlights a more emphatic or deliberate declaration of ignorance.

feigned ignorance

Suggests the ignorance is not genuine but pretended, adding a layer of deception.

pretended not to know

Emphasizes the act of pretending, implying deception.

asserted lack of knowledge

A more formal and direct way of stating a lack of knowledge.

maintained unawareness

Highlights a persistent denial of knowledge, suggesting a continued stance.

pleaded innocence

While not directly about ignorance, it's often used in similar contexts where someone is trying to avoid blame through a claim of lack of knowledge.

disclaimed responsibility

Shifts the focus from lack of knowledge to a refusal to accept responsibility, which often accompanies a claim of ignorance.

FAQs

How can I use "claimed ignorance" in a sentence?

You can use "claimed ignorance" to describe someone denying knowledge of something, such as: "The suspect "claimed ignorance" of the crime." or "The official "claimed ignorance" about the company's finances".

What are some alternatives to "claimed ignorance"?

Alternatives include "pleaded ignorance", "professed ignorance", or "asserted lack of knowledge", depending on the context.

Is it always negative to say someone "claimed ignorance"?

Not necessarily. While it can imply doubt or disbelief, it's primarily a neutral statement of fact that someone made such a claim. The surrounding context determines the implied negativity or neutrality.

What's the difference between "claimed ignorance" and "feigned ignorance"?

"Claimed ignorance" simply states that someone asserted they didn't know something. "Feigned ignorance" implies that the person was pretending not to know, adding a layer of deception that might not be present in a simple claim.