utterly oblivious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly oblivious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is completely unaware of their surroundings or the situation they are in. Example: "Despite the loud arguments happening around him, he remained utterly oblivious to the tension in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Fortunately, I was utterly oblivious of the consequences.

The New York Times

It would take an utterly oblivious driver not to notice the Power Shifts problems.

The New York Times

Trump, on the other hand, is utterly oblivious to such conventions.

The New York Times

Still, this CD deserved a little better than the utterly oblivious reaction it received.

The New York Times - Arts

But on his gap year, my son went to the Kashmir border, utterly oblivious.

The Guardian

For instance, in Irwin's view, "Said was utterly oblivious to the humour and stylishness of Alexander Kinglake's 'Eothen.'" Hmmm.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

One of the last things you'd associate with Saga Norén, the curious and compelling Swedish detective now back on our screens in the third series of The Bridge, is a love of fine food: utterly work-focused and oblivious to life's creature comforts, she's usually glimpsed scooping something unidentifiable and microwaved from a tray, refuelling before she interrogates the next suspect.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Having set off an uproar with a briefing about some EU negotiations, he gets utterly wasted and is therefore oblivious to the trouble he has unleashed.

The Guardian - Books

The movie is a story of another two from May's gallery of the oblivious, who suffer the curse, even the horror, of their utterly unselfconscious, even blind, pursuit of an outsized goal by utterly absurd, impractical, and self-deluding means.

The New Yorker

"I feel terrified and utterly thrilled," says Ms. Ensler, dressed in silver pleather pants and a black turtleneck, oblivious to the annoying ring of the cell phone in her gray Kate Spade handbag.

The New York Times

There they both go, eyes straight ahead, utterly intent on what they're trying to do — get the girl, understand Communism — and oblivious of the felled houses, the outraged constables that they leave in their wake.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly oblivious" to emphasize a complete lack of awareness, especially when highlighting a contrast between someone's state and the surrounding circumstances. This phrase is effective in drawing attention to their detachment.

Common error

While "utterly oblivious" is widely understood, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or nuanced vocabulary might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "completely unaware" or "entirely unmindful" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly oblivious" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, emphasizing the degree of unawareness. It intensifies the adjective "oblivious", indicating a complete lack of perception or understanding as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

4%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "utterly oblivious" is a common adjectival phrase used to describe a complete lack of awareness. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English. It frequently appears in news and media sources, and it serves to emphasize a subject's detachment from their surroundings or situation. While generally neutral in tone, it may be less suitable for highly formal contexts, where alternatives like "completely unaware" or "entirely unmindful" might be more appropriate. Remember to leverage its emphasis on complete unawareness to create impactful contrasts in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely unaware

Emphasizes a total lack of awareness, similar in intensity to "utterly oblivious".

totally ignorant

Focuses on a lack of knowledge or understanding, implying a stronger degree of unawareness than "utterly oblivious".

entirely unmindful

Highlights a lack of attention or concern, suggesting a more deliberate disregard than "utterly oblivious".

blissfully ignorant

Implies happiness derived from being unaware of negative things, adding an emotional dimension not present in "utterly oblivious".

densely unaware

Suggests a lack of mental acuity contributing to the unawareness, implying a more inherent trait than "utterly oblivious".

patently unheeding

Highlights a clear disregard for warnings or signals, indicating a more active form of inattention than "utterly oblivious".

manifestly inattentive

Emphasizes a noticeable lack of attentiveness, often implying negligence, which is not always the case with "utterly oblivious".

singularly absent-minded

Focuses on a habitual tendency to forget or not notice things, suggesting a personal characteristic rather than a situational state as with "utterly oblivious".

in total disregard

Implies a willful ignorance or negligence toward something, adding a layer of intention not necessarily present in "utterly oblivious".

quite out of it

Informal expression indicating a temporary state of detachment or unawareness, differing in formality from "utterly oblivious".

FAQs

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

You can use "utterly oblivious" to describe someone completely unaware of something. For example: "The tourists were "utterly oblivious" to the dangers around them."

What are some alternatives to "utterly oblivious"?

Alternatives include "completely unaware", "totally ignorant", or "entirely unmindful", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "utterly oblivious" suitable for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "utterly oblivious" might be perceived as less formal in some contexts. Consider using alternatives like "completely unaware" or "entirely unmindful" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "utterly oblivious" and "blissfully ignorant"?

"Utterly oblivious" simply means being unaware, while "blissfully ignorant" implies a happiness derived from that lack of awareness. The latter carries an additional emotional connotation.