utterly unaware

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly unaware" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is completely oblivious to a situation or fact. Example: "Despite the chaos around her, she remained utterly unaware of the commotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

The people passing by seem utterly unaware of the vastness, the complexity, of where we've been.

The New York Times

Yet most people are utterly unaware of the existence of these new psychological therapies.

The Guardian

The folks back home, of course, have other things on their minds and are utterly unaware of what is happening.

The New York Times

Jackson liked the analogy of a cat waiting for a mouse, patiently biding its time, until the mouse, utterly unaware, finally came forth.

The New Yorker

(Showtime attests that everyone on screen except Mr. Wootton is "completely real and utterly unaware they are talking to an actor").

The New York Times - Arts

He seemed utterly unaware of the devastating consequences this will have on housing in London and refused to make the case to government.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

In Ford's movie, Mudd is depicted as being utterly innocent and unaware of the identity of the patient at his door and even of the fact of Lincoln's death at the time he treated Booth.

The New Yorker

He is motiveless, utterly unafraid and indeed unaware of the consequences of his actions: which makes him very dangerous indeed.

The Guardian - Film

At a time when so many of our key policymakers still have it so utterly backwards, somehow still unaware that "Big Oil" isn't domestic producers (and high tax payers) like Exxon or Chevron but really the national companies (OPEC) and national champions (Russia, China) that dominate the international oil market, our energy policies must support friends and free markets like Canada, not harm them.

Forbes

Mr. Firth is unaware that being utterly stilted is exactly what Wilde had in mind for his craftily pixilated characters.

The New York Times

He makes no distinction between types of photography, and seems unaware, that photography has changed utterly since Henri Cartier-Bresson.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly unaware" to emphasize a complete lack of knowledge or perception, creating a stronger impact than simply saying "unaware".

Common error

Avoid using "utterly unaware" in situations where a partial lack of awareness is more accurate. Overstating the degree of unawareness can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly unaware" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of complete lack of awareness or knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "utterly unaware" functions as an adjective phrase to emphasize a complete lack of knowledge or perception. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and usable, mostly within neutral contexts such as news and media. While alternatives like "completely oblivious" or "totally ignorant" exist, "utterly unaware" provides a specific nuance of total unawareness without necessarily implying active disregard. When using it, ensure the context warrants the strong emphasis it provides, avoiding overstatement. The phrase is most commonly encountered in news and media sources, with less frequent usage in academia and formal business settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely oblivious

Emphasizes a total lack of awareness, often suggesting a more active disregard or inattentiveness.

totally ignorant

Highlights a complete lack of knowledge or information about something.

entirely clueless

Suggests a complete lack of understanding or ability to grasp a situation.

blissfully ignorant

Implies a state of unawareness that leads to happiness or contentment, often about something negative.

wholly unconscious

Focuses on a lack of conscious perception or realization.

quite uninformed

Indicates a lack of information, suggesting a more passive state of not being informed.

naively unsuspecting

Highlights a lack of suspicion or anticipation of something, often due to innocence or naiveté.

patently unmindful

Emphasizes an obvious or blatant lack of attention or consideration.

genuinely incognizant

Focuses on a sincere and authentic lack of awareness or understanding.

utterly unsuspecting

Similar to naively unsuspecting, but places greater emphasis on complete surprise.

FAQs

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

You can use "utterly unaware" to describe someone's complete lack of knowledge or perception about something. For example, "The public was utterly unaware of the impending crisis."

What are some alternatives to "utterly unaware"?

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

Is it more emphatic to say "utterly unaware" than simply "unaware"?

Yes, "utterly unaware" emphasizes a complete lack of awareness, making it a stronger and more emphatic statement than just "unaware".

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

"Utterly unaware" simply describes a lack of knowledge. "Blissfully ignorant", on the other hand, implies that the lack of awareness leads to happiness or contentment, often in the face of negative circumstances.