complete ignorance of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complete ignorance of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a total lack of knowledge or awareness about a particular subject or situation. Example: "His complete ignorance of the rules led to several mistakes during the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Your statements above start with complete ignorance of the situation.

University of California, Berkeley

To be perfectly candid, I admit to complete ignorance of the problem.

The New York Times - Sports

I also came to see that some councils had a complete ignorance of poverty.

The Guardian

However, in complete ignorance of what is permitted and what is not one cannot live.

The New Yorker

That officer didn't think that he was committing rape – he had complete ignorance of his own act.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"The biggest example of complete ignorance of water consumption is the big biofuels mandate," Mr. Griffiths-Sattenspiel said.

The New York Times

If you look at them, it was English juries, English prosecutors and English police proceeding with complete ignorance of culture or religion.

The Guardian

Then Baring's hired him for its Tokyo office, despite his complete ignorance of banking, because it was "fed up with sending bankers out who couldn't understand Japan".

The Guardian - Books

Marks recalls, on the other hand, that Lew Grade, the owner of ATV, was "almost certainly kept in complete ignorance of the blacklist involvement".

The Guardian - Film

"This is caused by lack of information, stereotypes, and complete ignorance of the richness and diversity of the Ibero-American culture," she said in a terse email message.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

As a former science teacher and schools inspector, I am disturbed that proposals for science education are based on near-complete ignorance of intelligent design.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "complete ignorance of", ensure that the context clearly indicates a total lack of knowledge or understanding. Avoid using it when there's only partial unfamiliarity. Also, consider the tone: this phrase can be quite strong, so make sure it suits your intended audience.

Common error

Avoid using "complete ignorance of" when a more nuanced phrase like "limited understanding of" or "some unfamiliarity with" would be more accurate. Overstating ignorance can weaken your argument and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complete ignorance of" functions as a noun phrase complemented by a preposition, typically acting as an object in a sentence. Ludwig AI shows that it's used to express a total lack of knowledge or understanding regarding a specific subject or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

35%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "complete ignorance of" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to denote a total lack of knowledge or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms that it appears frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. When using the phrase, be mindful of the strong negative connotation and ensure it accurately reflects the degree of unfamiliarity. Alternatives like "utter lack of awareness regarding" offer similar meaning with slight differences in formality or emphasis. Be sure to avoid overstating the level of ignorance to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utter lack of awareness regarding

Emphasizes the total absence of awareness, using more formal vocabulary.

total unawareness concerning

Highlights the complete absence of awareness with a slightly more formal tone.

profound unfamiliarity with

Stresses a deep lack of knowledge, suitable for academic or formal contexts.

absolute nescience about

Uses a more technical term for lack of knowledge, fitting for philosophical or scientific discussions.

comprehensive lack of insight into

Focuses on the absence of understanding, applicable when discussing complex issues.

thorough obliviousness to

Indicates a state of being completely unaware or forgetful of something.

blank incomprehension of

Emphasizes a complete inability to understand something.

sheer lack of grasp on

Highlights a fundamental inability to understand or comprehend a concept.

simple unfamiliarity regarding

States a lack of familiarity. It's far less intense.

general innocence of

Implies lack of awareness, in a positive way.

FAQs

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

You can use "complete ignorance of" to describe a total lack of knowledge or awareness about a particular subject. For example: "His complete ignorance of the rules led to several mistakes."

What are some alternatives to "complete ignorance of"?

Alternatives include "utter lack of awareness regarding", "total unawareness concerning", or "profound unfamiliarity with", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "complete ignorance of" or "total ignorance of"?

Both "complete ignorance of" and "total ignorance of" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice often depends on personal preference and the specific context. However, "complete ignorance of" may sound slightly more formal.

What does "complete ignorance of" imply?

The phrase "complete ignorance of" implies a total lack of knowledge, understanding, or awareness regarding a specific subject or situation. It suggests that the person or entity in question has no understanding or information about the matter being discussed.