unsuspecting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unsuspecting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is unaware of potential danger or deception. Example: "The unsuspecting tourists were caught off guard by the sudden storm that rolled in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"In Montreal, Gloucester and Kuala Lumpur," writes Mr Kynge, "unsuspecting pedestrians stumbled into holes".Both these books deal with China's economic ascent and its global implications and both reach largely optimistic conclusions.

The Economist

UNSUSPECTING fans of Madonna would until recently have got a shock if they had linked to www.madonna.com.

The Economist

These children often come through the care system and are brushed off to unsuspecting adoptive parents, who have little or no idea of how this will impact upon their family lives.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It went online on a Sunday, but it was only the following day, a work day, that a reader asked him if he'd thought about warning unsuspecting readers that the photo made the article NSFW – Not Safe For Work. "They explained," recalled Ebert, "that they read the column at work ("during lunch break", of course) and were afraid a supervisor or co-worker might see a nude on their monitor.

The Guardian

Let and Run: Con artists break into empty properties and then rent them out as their own to unsuspecting tenants, who hand over large sums of money as a deposit and rent.

The Guardian - Money

Since its launch, it has become a new web cult for its users in Russia, with thousands of witty snippets thrown on to social media every day – such as the one above, which sends an unsuspecting babushka on the Moscow metro into outer space.

The Guardian

I peer towards the stage and catch sight of one of my canoe feet connecting sharply with the back of an unsuspecting teenager's head.

The Guardian - Music

Farrell, who like Robshaw had not scored an international try before, was about to break his duck and it was reminiscent of the dummy Matt Dawson sold an unsuspecting South Africa defence on the 1997 Lions tour.

The Guardian - Sport

To an unsuspecting America – he'd already shown his true colours on UK TV on Pop Idol – Simon Cowell was the waspish, perma roll-necked quote generator whose aim was to destroy people's dreams one quip at a time.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I think back to just two years ago - a chador-clad officer stationed inside a hamburger joint near Parkway with a walkie-talkie in hand to call in for back up, the unit that practically guarded the Mellat Park entrance every waking moment of the day, the van loading up unsuspecting denizens outside an ice cream shop in Gisha, the officers perched just outside the Haft-e Tir metro exit.

The Guardian

The best friend part, poor unsuspecting fool that he is, stands with me for a moment to ponder who could possibly have wished to kill my wife with a pair of scissors.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "unwary" or "naïve" if they better capture the specific nuance you want to convey. Each word carries slightly different connotations.

Common error

Avoid using "unsuspecting" in situations where there is no element of risk, threat, or deception. For example, saying "unsuspecting shoppers" when there is no implied danger would be incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "unsuspecting" primarily functions to modify nouns, typically people or groups, to indicate they are unaware of an impending danger or deception. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "unsuspecting" is an adjective used to describe someone unaware of potential danger or deception. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media. Synonyms like "unwary" or "naïve" can be used to add nuance. When using "unsuspecting", it's important to ensure the context clearly indicates a potential threat. Avoid using it in neutral situations. Key sources include The Economist and The Guardian, reflecting its prevalence in journalistic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsuspicious

Mirrors "unsuspecting" but with a slightly different nuance, focusing on the absence of suspicion.

unwary

Highlights the lack of caution or awareness of danger.

unaware

Indicates a lack of knowledge or consciousness about a situation.

naïve

Emphasizes a lack of experience and a tendency to trust others easily.

gullible

Focuses on being easily persuaded to believe something; susceptibility to deception.

trusting

Implies a general disposition to believe in the honesty and integrity of others.

off guard

Describes a state of being unprepared for something, often a surprise.

incognizant

A more formal way of saying unaware or having no knowledge.

heedless

Stresses a lack of attention or concern, possibly leading to danger.

blind to

Highlights an inability to perceive or understand something obvious or important.

FAQs

How can I use "unsuspecting" in a sentence?

You can use "unsuspecting" to describe someone who is unaware of a potential danger or deception, such as, "The "unsuspecting" tourists were caught off guard by the sudden storm".

What are some alternatives to "unsuspecting"?

Alternatives to "unsuspecting" include "unwary", "naive", or "unsuspicious", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "an unsuspecting victim"?

Yes, "unsuspecting victim" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe someone who is harmed because they were unaware of a threat.

What is the difference between "unsuspecting" and "unaware"?

"Unsuspecting" implies a lack of awareness specifically regarding a potential danger or deception, whereas "unaware" simply means lacking knowledge or consciousness about something in general.