completely unaware

USAGE SUMMARY

"completely unaware" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it in a sentence to emphasize that someone was not informed about a certain situation or condition. For example, "The teacher was completely unaware that two of the students had been cheating during the test."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Parents may be completely unaware, she said.

The New York Times

He seems completely unaware of it.

The New York Times

"I was completely unaware," Dr. Williams said.

The New York Times

Dr. Tsien was not caught completely unaware.

The New York Times - Science

And she was completely unaware of it.

The New York Times - Health

"You were completely unaware of everything?" asked Edis.

The Guardian

And the majority of the world is completely unaware.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

5.10pm BST Hull have caught Arsenal completely unaware here!

The Guardian - Sport

Packham said he was "completely unaware of this travesty".

The Guardian

Gillard resumed her seat, apparently completely unaware of its impact.

The Guardian

Distracted walkers aren't completely unaware of their surroundings, after all.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely unaware" to emphasize a total lack of knowledge or perception, especially when the information should have been known or easily accessible.

Common error

Avoid using "completely unaware" when a partial awareness exists. Instead, consider phrases like "partially informed" or "somewhat familiar" for more accurate representation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely unaware" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of absolute lack of knowledge or consciousness regarding something. As Ludwig suggests, it's a perfectly acceptable and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "completely unaware" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a total lack of knowledge or perception. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely acceptable in English writing. With a neutral register, it fits various contexts, though most often found in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a complete lack of awareness, avoiding it when partial knowledge exists. Related phrases like "utterly oblivious" or "entirely uninformed" can offer nuance. Ultimately, "completely unaware" effectively conveys a state of absolute ignorance, as long as it aligns with the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly oblivious

Highlights a lack of perception or attention to something obvious.

entirely uninformed

Focuses on the absence of information or knowledge about a specific topic.

totally ignorant

Implies a complete lack of knowledge, often with a slightly negative connotation.

in the dark

Similar to "in total darkness", suggesting a lack of information.

without a clue

An informal expression indicating a complete lack of understanding.

not in the know

Indicates exclusion from a group with special knowledge.

blissfully ignorant

Suggests a lack of awareness that brings happiness or avoids unpleasantness.

unfamiliar with

Suggests a lack of experience or knowledge, generally about a specific topic.

naively unacquainted

Implies inexperience and a lack of knowledge about something.

in total darkness

Uses a metaphorical expression for being completely uninformed or clueless.

FAQs

How can I use "completely unaware" in a sentence?

You can use "completely unaware" to describe someone's lack of knowledge about a situation. For example, "The driver was "completely unaware" of the icy conditions until the car started to skid."

What's a more formal way to say "completely unaware"?

A more formal alternative to "completely unaware" is "entirely uninformed". For example, "The board of directors was "entirely uninformed" about the financial risks involved."

What are some informal alternatives to "completely unaware"?

Informal alternatives include phrases like "in the dark" or "without a clue". For instance, "I was "in the dark" about the changes to the project."

Is it ever incorrect to use "completely unaware"?

While grammatically correct, "completely unaware" might not be the best choice if someone has a slight inkling or partial knowledge. In such cases, consider using phrases like "partially aware" or "somewhat informed" for greater accuracy.