could be oblivious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be oblivious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to suggest that someone might be unaware of something or not paying attention to a particular situation. Example: "He could be oblivious to the fact that his comments are hurtful to others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

They could be oblivious to other cells, perhaps in other immigrant communities, of hardened jihadists -- holy warriors who served their time in Afghanistan training or fighting with the Taliban before returning to Europe.

The New York Times

That's a great boon for our fantastic writers, allowing them to make the creeping abuse feel inescapable and horribly real, and to explore how a woman like Helen could come to suffer in this way; how those closest to her could be oblivious to it, or find their helping hands repeatedly shunned.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Twitter is a way to reach that whole demographic that could be oblivious to the 405 closure for that weekend," Neiman said.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

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

The New York Times - Arts

But he could also be oblivious to the needs of people without his money and privilege, often brushing aside concerns about the crisis of affordable housing, for example.

The New York Times

We could even be oblivious to unfamiliar forms of life right under our noses.

Science Magazine

And, once the guests were gone, Imus and his cohorts could get back to goofing off, and the politicians could pretend to be oblivious.

The New Yorker

– Lauren Oliver, Delirium If only she could be so oblivious again, to feel such love without knowing it, mistaking it for laughter.

The Guardian

But he also created an image for himself as a quirky player who could be almost oblivious to what was going on around him -- in the clubhouse, for sure, but sometimes it seemed in the field and on the basepaths.

The New York Times

Many found it astounding that American lawmakers could be so oblivious to the global consequences of their actions, and to the damage they were doing to the faith and credit of the United States.

The New York Times

"It is hard to imagine how the C.E.O. of a company of this size that was engaged in moving hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars of obligation off its books, enriching members of its hierarchy to the tunes of tens of millions of dollars, could be so oblivious," Representative James C. Greenwood, Republican of Pennsylvania, said on "Late Edition" on CNN.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be oblivious", consider the context and ensure that the possibility of unawareness is plausible and supported by the surrounding information. This phrase works best when highlighting a potential lack of awareness that is either surprising or consequential.

Common error

Avoid using "could be oblivious" when the context suggests a deliberate choice to ignore something, as this can undermine your credibility. The phrase implies a genuine lack of awareness, not intentional disregard.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be oblivious" functions as a modal phrase, indicating a possibility or potential state of being unaware or lacking perception. As noted by Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be oblivious" is a grammatically correct phrase used to suggest the possibility of someone being unaware. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for expressing tentative assessments across various contexts. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Science sources. While not extremely common, it provides a nuanced way to express potential unawareness without making a definitive statement. When using this phrase, ensure the possibility of unawareness is plausible and supported by the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be unaware

Suggests a possibility of not knowing something, with a slightly more formal tone.

may not realize

Indicates a lack of comprehension, implying a potential for future understanding.

might not notice

Focuses on a failure to observe or pay attention to something.

may be ignorant of

Implies a lack of knowledge, sometimes suggesting a more culpable unawareness.

could be unmindful of

Highlights a lack of consideration or attention, often implying a moral dimension.

might overlook

Suggests a failure to see or recognize something, often due to haste or carelessness.

may be insensitive to

Indicates a lack of emotional awareness or understanding.

could be blind to

Emphasizes a complete inability to perceive something, often due to prejudice or bias.

might be clueless about

Suggests a complete lack of understanding or knowledge, often in a humorous or derogatory way.

may be out of touch with

Implies a lack of current knowledge or understanding, often due to isolation or lack of experience.

FAQs

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

You can use "could be oblivious" to suggest that someone may be unaware of something, like in the sentence: "They "could be oblivious to other cells"."

What phrases are similar to "could be oblivious"?

Similar phrases include "might be unaware", "may not realize", or "might not notice", which all express a lack of awareness.

Is it grammatically correct to say "could be oblivious"?

Yes, "could be oblivious" is grammatically correct. "Could" is a modal verb, "be" is a linking verb, and "oblivious" is an adjective describing a state of unawareness.

What's the difference between "could be oblivious" and "is oblivious"?

"Could be oblivious" suggests a possibility of being unaware, while "is oblivious" indicates a definite state of unawareness. The former is less assertive and allows for the possibility that the person may, in fact, be aware.