totally oblivious

USAGE SUMMARY

"totally oblivious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is not aware of or paying attention to something. For example, "I was totally oblivious to the fact that I had left my keys in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

After a while, you become totally oblivious.

The New Yorker

Yu seemed totally oblivious to potential eavesdroppers.

The New York Times - Magazine

Maybe Rodriguez was totally oblivious to what he was doing.

The New York Times - Sports

But he appears totally oblivious to this problem.

The New York Times

The best that can be said for Mr. Rodman is that he's totally oblivious.

The New York Times

He is totally oblivious to the scope of North Vietnam's concessions.

The New York Times

To be fair, Summers and Geithner weren't totally oblivious to the onset of trouble.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I was a brazen New York JAP, and he was a totally oblivious rube from the Midwest.

The New Yorker

What particularly fascinated him was how totally oblivious the children were to the political agenda behind the images.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Did you leave that out for space reasons, or are they totally oblivious to their responsibilities?

The New Yorker

They were deeply engrossed in conversation totally oblivious to the physical postures they had assumed.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "totally oblivious" when you want to emphasize a complete lack of awareness or understanding, often to highlight a contrast or irony in a situation. For example, 'He was "totally oblivious" to the chaos around him, continuing to work on his laptop'.

Common error

Avoid using "totally oblivious" in highly formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound too informal. Opt for alternatives like "completely unaware" or "entirely ignorant" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally oblivious" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of complete unawareness or inattention. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

13%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "totally oblivious" is a commonly used adjectival phrase that effectively conveys a complete lack of awareness. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable. While versatile and frequently found in news and general contexts, it may be less appropriate for highly formal writing where alternatives like "completely unaware" might be preferred. Understanding its connotations and appropriate contexts ensures clear and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Completely unaware

Focuses on the lack of knowledge or perception.

Entirely ignorant

Emphasizes a lack of information or understanding.

Blissfully ignorant

Suggests a happiness derived from not knowing something.

Utterly clueless

Implies a complete lack of understanding or skill.

Patently unconcerned

Highlights a visible lack of worry or interest.

Serenely detached

Indicates a calm separation from a situation or event.

Naively unsuspecting

Suggests an innocent lack of anticipation of potential problems.

Deliberately disregarding

Implies a conscious choice to ignore something.

Carelessly inattentive

Emphasizes a lack of attention due to carelessness.

Willfully blind

Highlights a deliberate refusal to acknowledge something.

FAQs

How can I use "totally oblivious" in a sentence?

You can use "totally oblivious" to describe someone's complete lack of awareness. For example, "She walked into the meeting "totally oblivious" to the tension in the room".

What are some alternatives to "totally oblivious"?

Some alternatives include "completely unaware", "entirely ignorant", or "blissfully ignorant", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "totally oblivious" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "totally oblivious" may sound too informal for certain formal contexts. Consider using alternatives such as "completely unaware" or "entirely ignorant" in those situations.

What's the difference between "totally oblivious" and "willfully ignorant"?

"Totally oblivious" implies a lack of awareness, while "willfully ignorant" suggests a deliberate choice to ignore something. The latter carries a stronger connotation of intentional avoidance.