grave ignorance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grave ignorance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a serious lack of knowledge or awareness about a particular subject or issue. Example: "The politician's comments revealed a grave ignorance of the economic challenges facing the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I think it is fair to say, in the light of these facts" (says Hitchens, although none of the reality-based statements made in the previous few pages have anything to do with what he goes on to say) "that the current campaign for legalisation, or what is euphemistically described as 'regulation', of some illegal drugs is based either on grave ignorance of the issues, or upon deliberate dishonesty".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Yale introduced him to Mary: Yale's wife is therefore completely unaware of how long the affair has been going on, and will presumably go to her grave in this state of ignorance, in which Isaac will be complicit.

The Guardian

In emerging from that grave Mungo Man continues to challenge ignorance and prejudice.

The Guardian

I was fundamentally unaware of the risks involved in having unsafe sex and my ignorance of HIV led me to believe that my prognosis was far graver than I now know to be the case.

Independent

Without any grave marker or historical plaque to raise questions, developers moved their blueprints through city channels, pleading ignorance about the colorful name attached to the two oceanfront acres.

The New York Times

One of the gravest misconceptions about antibiotic overuse is that it is people who become resistant, not bacteria – this ignorance extends across poor and rich countries.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's ignorance, sheer ignorance".

The New York Times

Such ignorance!

The Guardian

"Aggressive ignorance".

The Guardian

The grave.

The New Yorker

How grave is too grave?

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grave ignorance" to describe situations where the lack of knowledge has serious or potentially harmful consequences. This emphasizes the significance of the ignorance.

Common error

Avoid using "grave ignorance" when a simple lack of knowledge is meant. Reserve it for situations where the ignorance has significant and potentially negative repercussions. For example, use "lack of information" instead of "grave ignorance" when discussing a minor misunderstanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave ignorance" functions as a noun phrase, where "grave" modifies "ignorance" to intensify its meaning. According to Ludwig AI, it describes a serious lack of knowledge or understanding. It is used to highlight the severity of the ignorance.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grave ignorance" is a phrase used to describe a serious lack of knowledge or understanding, primarily found in news and media contexts. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and serves to emphasize the potential consequences of unawareness. While less common, its impact lies in its intensity, making it suitable for highlighting critical shortcomings in understanding. Alternatives like "profound ignorance" and "serious lack of knowledge" can be used for similar effect, depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

profound ignorance

Replaces "grave" with "profound", emphasizing the depth of ignorance.

serious lack of knowledge

Breaks down the phrase to its core components, focusing on the absence of knowledge.

deep incomprehension

Substitutes "ignorance" with "incomprehension", highlighting a lack of understanding.

utter unawareness

Replaces "ignorance" with "unawareness", emphasizing a complete lack of consciousness.

blissful nescience

Uses a more formal and literary tone to describe a state of unawareness, with a slight implication of contentment in ignorance.

stark lack of understanding

Emphasizes the severity of the lack of understanding.

complete unfamiliarity

Highlights a total lack of acquaintance or experience with a subject.

extreme benightedness

Uses the archaic term "benightedness" to describe a state of intellectual or moral darkness.

sheer nescience

Emphasizes the pure and unadulterated nature of the ignorance.

abysmal lack of insight

Highlights the significant absence of understanding or perception.

FAQs

How is "grave ignorance" typically used in a sentence?

Typically, "grave ignorance" is used to describe a significant lack of knowledge that leads to serious consequences. For example: "The policy decision was made in "grave ignorance" of the potential environmental impacts."

What are some alternatives to "grave ignorance"?

Alternatives to "grave ignorance" include phrases such as "profound ignorance", "serious lack of knowledge", or "deep incomprehension", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "grave ignorance" in formal writing?

Yes, "grave ignorance" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when emphasizing the seriousness of the lack of knowledge. However, ensure the context warrants such a strong phrase.

What is the difference between "ignorance" and "grave ignorance"?

"Ignorance" simply means a lack of knowledge or awareness. "Grave ignorance", on the other hand, implies that the lack of knowledge is severe and has significant, often negative, implications. The term "grave" amplifies the severity and impact of the ignorance.