feign ignorance

USAGE SUMMARY

'feign ignorance' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You would usually use this phrase to imply that someone is pretending not to know something. For example, "The suspect feigned ignorance when asked about the stolen goods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Or just walk out and feign ignorance?

The New York Times

"They may feign ignorance," he said.

The New York Times

And she said she tried to feign ignorance or indifference.

The New York Times - Sports

So when we taped, the kids had to feign ignorance.

The New York Times - Arts

Players often feign ignorance when a coaching change is afoot.

The Guardian - Sport

(By the way: Can't feign ignorance? Then don't do the crime).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Israel feigned ignorance.

The New York Times

Stewart feigned ignorance.

The New Yorker

The worshippers feigned ignorance.

The Guardian

Professing — or feigning — ignorance is a way out.

The Washington Post

Gorbachev feigned ignorance, but it was enough to prevent any further donations.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feign ignorance" when you want to imply a deliberate act of pretending not to know something, often to avoid responsibility or involvement. Be mindful of the context to ensure it accurately reflects the character's intent.

Common error

Avoid using "feign ignorance" when genuine lack of knowledge is the case. The phrase implies a conscious act of deception, so ensure that the context supports this interpretation to avoid misrepresenting the situation or character's intent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feign ignorance" functions as a verb phrase, where "feign" is the verb (meaning to pretend) and "ignorance" is the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It describes a deliberate action of pretending not to know something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feign ignorance" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that describes the act of pretending not to know something, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, indicating its relevance in reporting on situations involving deception or avoidance of responsibility. While synonyms like "play dumb" or "pretend not to know" exist, "feign ignorance" provides a slightly more formal and nuanced way to express this concept. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly supports the intent to deceive, avoiding its application in situations where genuine lack of knowledge is present. Overall, mastering the use of "feign ignorance" enhances precision and effectiveness in conveying intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pretend not to know

A straightforward alternative that emphasizes the act of pretending.

play dumb

More informal and suggests a simpler, less sophisticated pretense of ignorance.

act oblivious

Focuses on behaving as if one is unaware of something, often to avoid involvement.

affect unawareness

A more formal way of saying pretend not to know, highlighting the artificiality of the behavior.

plead ignorance

Claims of lacking knowledge, often in a legal or formal context.

profess ignorance

Similar to plead ignorance but can also describe a more general claim of lacking knowledge.

feign innocence

Focuses on pretending to be innocent or not guilty, which often involves feigning ignorance of wrongdoing.

look the other way

Implies a deliberate choice to ignore something, rather than a pretense of not knowing.

turn a blind eye

Similar to "look the other way", suggesting a conscious decision to disregard something.

play possum

Idiomatic expression meaning to pretend to be dead or asleep, often to avoid detection or responsibility.

FAQs

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

You can use "feign ignorance" to describe someone pretending not to know something. For example, "The politician tried to feign ignorance about the scandal, but his involvement was clear".

What's the difference between "feign ignorance" and "plead ignorance"?

"Feign ignorance" describes the act of pretending not to know something, while "plead ignorance" is a formal claim of lacking knowledge, often in legal contexts. "Feigning" is an action, while "pleading" is a statement.

What are some alternatives to "feign ignorance"?

Some alternatives to "feign ignorance" include "play dumb", "pretend not to know", or "act oblivious". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it always negative to "feign ignorance"?

While "feign ignorance" often carries a negative connotation because it implies deception, it can also be used in neutral or even positive contexts. For example, someone might "feign ignorance" to protect another person's feelings or to avoid conflict.