in ignorance of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in ignorance of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a lack of knowledge or awareness about something. Example: "He proceeded with the project in ignorance of the potential risks involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

Genetics, Selection, Evolution

The Economist

The Guardian - Sport

The Guardian - Opinion

The New Yorker

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The optimisation engine operates with the underlined numbers "in ignorance" of this algorithm, except through eventual effects on fitness, just as the biological methods to select, mutate and recombine DNA operate "in ignorance" of the phenotypic outcome, except through eventual effects on fitness.

Genetics, Selection, Evolution

They lead parallel lives, largely in ignorance of each other.

The Economist

The furore was generally made in ignorance of the development.

The Guardian - Sport

Justice is best served in ignorance of modern life.

The Guardian - Opinion

The quenelle is made as much in ignorance of French history as in defiance of it.

The New Yorker

I might have spent my whole adult life in ignorance of my genetic racism".

The Economist

"It is clear that Mrs Casey kept her two lovers in ignorance of each other.

Independent

Its first moves are random, made in ignorance of the game's underlying logic.

The New Yorker

Then there are cases of objects let go in ignorance of their value.

Independent

Mr Blair seems genuinely to have been kept in ignorance of this arrangement between his friends.

The Economist

I watched colleagues floundering as they sought to fashion stories in ignorance of its framework.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in ignorance of" to clearly convey that someone acted without awareness of specific facts or circumstances. It adds a layer of unintentionality to the action.

Common error

Avoid using "in ignorance of" when you mean "in defiance of". The former implies a lack of knowledge, while the latter indicates a deliberate disregard for rules or facts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in ignorance of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating a state of unawareness or lack of knowledge concerning something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its role is to specify the condition under which an action or situation occurs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in ignorance of" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate a lack of awareness or knowledge. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to explain why someone might have acted in a certain way due to their unawareness of crucial information. While alternatives like "unaware of" or "without knowledge of" exist, "in ignorance of" carries a specific nuance that implies unintentionality. It's crucial not to confuse it with "in defiance of", which suggests a deliberate disregard. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, followed by scientific and academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unaware of

Replaces "ignorance" with "aware", changing the structure while keeping the negative meaning.

oblivious to

Uses a different adjective to convey a lack of awareness.

uninformed about

Focuses on the lack of information as the reason for ignorance.

without knowledge of

Rephrases the concept using "knowledge" instead of "ignorance".

in the dark about

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate a lack of information.

ignorant of

Removes the preposition "in", slightly altering the phrase's structure.

unacquainted with

Implies unfamiliarity leading to ignorance.

not knowing about

More direct and simpler phrasing.

blind to

Uses a metaphorical term suggesting an inability to see or understand.

unmindful of

Suggests a lack of attention or consideration.

FAQs

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

You can use "in ignorance of" to indicate that someone was unaware of a particular fact or situation when they acted. For example, "He made the decision in ignorance of the potential consequences".

What's the difference between "unaware of" and "in ignorance of"?

While both phrases convey a lack of knowledge, "unaware of" is more general. "In ignorance of" often implies a specific fact or situation that the person was not aware of, influencing their actions.

Are there formal alternatives to "in ignorance of"?

Yes, formal alternatives include "without knowledge of" or "uninformed about". These options can be more suitable in academic or professional writing.

When is it appropriate to use "in ignorance of"?

It is appropriate when you want to emphasize that a lack of knowledge directly contributed to a particular outcome or decision. It suggests that if the person had been aware, the outcome might have been different.