not noticing

USAGE SUMMARY

"not noticing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone failed to observe or pay attention to something. For example: "The students did not notice the change in the school's dress code."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thanks for not noticing".

The Guardian - Books

Good luck not noticing it.

The New Yorker

I'm not noticing my surroundings.

The Guardian

And society is not noticing.

The Guardian - Books

No, I'm still not noticing it.

The Guardian

The general sports fan could be forgiven for not noticing.

The New York Times - Sports

My bad for not noticing it until now.

The New York Times

Not noticing me felt like the biggest slight of all.

The Guardian

He asked her again, not noticing the nod.

The New York Times - Magazine

Shame on us for not noticing Kid A earlier.

The Guardian - Music

But it is extremely rare for a bank to face sanctions for not noticing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not noticing", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being missed. For example, specify the detail, sign, or event that was "not noticing".

Common error

Avoid using "not noticing" when the intended meaning is active avoidance. "Ignoring" or "disregarding" might be more appropriate if there's a conscious choice involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not noticing" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and appears in various contexts to indicate a lack of awareness or observation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

21%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not noticing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used gerund phrase that describes a lack of awareness or observation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it's suitable for various contexts, maintaining a neutral register. To use it effectively, clearly indicate what is being missed and avoid using it when the intended meaning is active avoidance. Alternatives like "failing to observe" or "overlooking" can provide nuanced meaning based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking no notice of

Focuses on a failure to acknowledge something present.

failing to observe

Implies a lack of active observation or attention to detail.

overlooking

Suggests a passive failure to see or acknowledge something important.

being unaware of

Highlights a lack of knowledge or consciousness about something.

missing

Emphasizes that something has been skipped or not detected.

disregarding

Suggests a conscious decision to ignore or pay no attention to something.

ignoring

Indicates a deliberate act of not paying attention.

remaining oblivious to

Highlights a complete lack of awareness, often in a negative context.

paying no heed to

Emphasizes a lack of attention or care towards something.

remaining heedless of

Implies a careless lack of attention to potential consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "not noticing" in a sentence?

You can use "not noticing" to describe a failure to observe something. For instance, "He was "not noticing" the traffic light and almost caused an accident".

What are some alternatives to "not noticing"?

Some alternatives to "not noticing" include "failing to observe", "overlooking", or "being unaware of" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "not noticing" or "not noticing it"?

The choice between "not noticing" and "not noticing it" depends on the sentence structure. If the object is already clear from the context, "not noticing" is sufficient. If the object needs to be specified, use "not noticing it" or replace "it" with the specific object.

What's the difference between "not noticing" and "ignoring"?

"Not noticing" implies a lack of awareness, while "ignoring" suggests a conscious decision to disregard something. For example, someone might be "not noticing" a subtle change in behavior, but "ignoring" a direct request.