profess ignorance

USAGE SUMMARY

"profess ignorance" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to indicate that someone is openly admitting they do not know something. Example: "When asked about the missing documents, she chose to profess ignorance." Alternative expressions include "claim ignorance" and "admit lack of knowledge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Several shrug at the idea, or profess ignorance.

The Economist

In interviews, many trustees profess ignorance about anything beyond their immediate duties.

The New York Times

After all, what shareholder would want a chief executive who can plausibly profess ignorance about where the company was headed?

The New York Times

On the Republican side, a majority of voters continued to profess ignorance about the candidates in the race.

The New York Times

Cheng's response was to profess ignorance and urge the Americans "to focus on the future and not to dwell on the past".

The Guardian

And it was his sense of history, not his morality, that made him savage the German vice chancellor who dared to profess ignorance at a party about why the United States had entered the First World War.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Initially, they refused or professed ignorance.

The New Yorker

Mr Piëch has always professed ignorance.

The Economist

Officials in Sevastopol also professed ignorance.

The Guardian

In the meeting, the officials professed ignorance about Abu Ghraib.

The New Yorker

Mr. Shifreen distractedly professed ignorance and went on working.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "profess ignorance" when you want to emphasize that someone is openly stating they do not know something, especially when there is an expectation that they should know.

Common error

Avoid using "profess ignorance" when you genuinely believe someone lacks knowledge. The phrase often carries a connotation of disingenuousness or evasion, implying the person may know more than they admit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "profess ignorance" functions as a verb phrase, where "profess" is the verb and "ignorance" is the direct object. It indicates a declaration or avowal of a lack of knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides multiple examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "profess ignorance" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe someone declaring a lack of knowledge, often with an implication of insincerity or evasion. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and provides numerous examples from authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian. While alternatives like "claim ignorance" and "feign ignorance" exist, "profess ignorance" maintains a distinct connotation. Usage patterns show its prominence in news and media contexts, though it can also be found in academic settings. It's crucial to use the phrase accurately, recognizing its potential to suggest disingenuousness rather than a genuine lack of knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

claim ignorance

This alternative implies a deliberate denial of knowledge, similar to "profess ignorance".

feign ignorance

This suggests pretending to be ignorant, often to avoid responsibility or involvement.

plead ignorance

This phrase indicates using ignorance as a defense or excuse.

assert lack of knowledge

This is a more formal way of saying someone claims not to know something.

maintain unawareness

This suggests consistently claiming not to be aware of something.

profess unfamiliarity

This implies not being acquainted with a topic or situation.

disclaim knowledge

This means to formally deny having knowledge of something.

profess innocence

In some contexts, professing innocence can be related to professing ignorance, particularly regarding involvement in wrongdoing.

avow nescience

This is a more formal and less common way to declare a lack of knowledge.

act oblivious

This suggests behaving as if one is unaware of something, which is a behavioral manifestation of professing ignorance.

FAQs

How to use "profess ignorance" in a sentence?

You can use "profess ignorance" to describe someone claiming a lack of knowledge, as in: "The suspect chose to profess ignorance about the crime."

What can I say instead of "profess ignorance"?

You can use alternatives like "claim ignorance", "feign ignorance", or "plead ignorance" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "profess of ignorance"?

No, the correct phrasing is "profess ignorance". The verb "profess" directly takes the object of what is being professed, without the need for the preposition "of".

What's the difference between "profess ignorance" and "admit ignorance"?

"Profess ignorance" often implies a degree of skepticism about the sincerity of the claim, whereas "admit ignorance" is a more straightforward acknowledgment of a lack of knowledge.