pleaded ignorance

USAGE SUMMARY

"pleaded ignorance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone is claiming to not know or understand something, especially in the context of making an excuse or offering an explanation. For example, "When asked why he had failed to pay the bill on time, he pleaded ignorance, claiming he had not received the invoice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Jay Carney, the White House press secretary, pleaded ignorance.

The New York Times

Mitt did his heh-heh-heh thing and pleaded ignorance.

The New York Times

Ace pleaded ignorance, though she's a Kim, through and through.

The New York Times

I pleaded ignorance and asked if he'd learned from a book.

The New Yorker

It was funded largely by the C.I.A., and, though Nabokov pleaded ignorance, his reputation never recovered.

The New Yorker

With Miami, Emmert pleaded ignorance at the investigative missteps and fired subordinates.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

The Russian President was not merely pleading ignorance as one would plead ignorance of, say, a conspiracy to commit a crime.

The New Yorker

They can plead ignorance.

The New Yorker

"I have to plead ignorance.

The Guardian - Music

Ministers cannot plead ignorance.

The Guardian - Opinion

The agency cannot plead ignorance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pleaded ignorance" when you want to convey that someone is formally stating they were unaware of something, often to avoid blame or responsibility. For instance, "The CEO pleaded ignorance about the accounting irregularities discovered in the audit."

Common error

Avoid using "pleaded ignorance" when the situation requires a stronger denial of guilt. "Pleading ignorance" suggests a lack of knowledge, whereas "claiming innocence" directly refutes culpability. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the intended meaning to avoid misrepresentation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pleaded ignorance" functions as a verb phrase where 'pleaded' is the past tense of the verb 'to plead,' and 'ignorance' is a noun. It describes the action of someone formally stating their lack of knowledge about something. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pleaded ignorance" is a commonly used phrase, primarily in news and media, to describe someone formally claiming a lack of knowledge, often to evade responsibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. While alternatives like "claimed innocence" and "professed ignorance" exist, they carry slightly different nuances. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the intent to convey a lack of knowledge rather than a direct denial of guilt. The register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various contexts, especially when reporting on official statements or defenses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pleaded lack of knowledge

Replaces "ignorance" with a more explicit term while retaining the legalistic tone.

professed ignorance

Emphasizes a formal declaration of not knowing something.

asserted lack of awareness

Formally states the absence of understanding or consciousness about something.

denied awareness

Directly rejects the notion of being informed or conscious.

claimed innocence

Shifts the focus from lack of knowledge to asserting a lack of culpability.

professed unfamiliarity

Claims a lack of experience or acquaintance with the matter.

maintained unawareness

Highlights the persistence of the claim of not knowing.

pleaded nescience

Uses a more formal, almost archaic term for ignorance.

feigned ignorance

Suggests the ignorance is not genuine but pretended.

disavowed knowledge

Strongly denies any connection to or understanding of a subject.

FAQs

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

You can use "pleaded ignorance" to describe someone claiming a lack of knowledge to avoid responsibility, such as, "The politician "pleaded ignorance" regarding the misuse of campaign funds".

What is a good substitute for "pleaded ignorance"?

Alternatives include "claimed innocence", "professed ignorance", or "asserted lack of awareness", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "pleaded ignorance"?

It's appropriate when someone is formally or officially stating their lack of knowledge, especially in situations involving potential wrongdoing or accountability. It implies they are using ignorance as a defense.

Is "pleaded ignorance" the same as "feigned ignorance"?

No, ""pleaded ignorance"" suggests a genuine claim of not knowing, while "feigned ignorance" implies that the person is pretending not to know something. The key difference lies in sincerity.