was insensitive to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was insensitive to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lack of consideration or awareness regarding someone's feelings or circumstances. Example: "His comments about her situation were insensitive to the struggles she was facing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was insensitive to Jewish suffering.

The Guardian - Books

He was insensitive to her disability.

The Guardian

The experience was insensitive to children and families.

The New York Times

There's no easy answer to whether he was insensitive to the needs of victims," he said.

The Guardian

He also rejected the charge that he was insensitive to his nonwhite constituents.

The New York Times

"I got the sense that it troubled him to the core that he was insensitive to battered women.

The New York Times

On Wednesday, students voted on five options to the Redskins, which school officials decided was insensitive to American Indians.

The New York Times

PCx firing was insensitive to single-glomerulus photostimulation.

Neuron

KCO2 was insensitive to the composition of the gas mix.

Journal of Food Engineering

In chemostats, PHB flux was insensitive to growth rate.

Metabolic Engineering

Again, the purified protein was insensitive to proteinase K treatment (Fig. S5B).

Protein & Cell

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was insensitive to", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Alternatives like "was callous to" suggest a more deliberate lack of feeling, while "was oblivious to" indicates a lack of awareness.

Common error

Avoid using "was insensitive to" repeatedly in formal writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "lacked consideration for" or "was unaffected by" to maintain reader engagement and add depth to your descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was insensitive to" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a subject and indicating a lack of sensitivity or consideration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

31%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was insensitive to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to express a lack of consideration or awareness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While versatile, it's crucial to consider the context and desired nuance when using it, as alternatives like "was callous to" or "was oblivious to" may be more appropriate depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey. Its usage is common in both formal and informal contexts, as evidenced by its presence across science, news, and formal business sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was unsympathetic to

Implies a lack of compassion or understanding.

lacked consideration for

Highlights the absence of thoughtful regard.

was callous toward

This alternative suggests a more hardened and deliberate lack of feeling.

was unmoved by

Suggests a failure to be emotionally affected.

was oblivious to

Suggests a lack of awareness or perception.

was indifferent to

This indicates a lack of interest or concern.

was heedless of

Indicates a careless disregard.

paid no attention to

Focuses on the neglect of someone or something.

was unaffected by

Implies a lack of impact or influence.

disregarded

Implies a deliberate ignoring or overlooking.

FAQs

How can I use "was insensitive to" in a sentence?

You can use "was insensitive to" to describe someone's lack of consideration or awareness towards another's feelings or a specific situation. For example, "He was insensitive to her grief after the loss of her family member."

What are some alternatives to "was insensitive to"?

Alternatives include "was callous to", "was oblivious to", "was unsympathetic to", or "lacked consideration for". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "was insensitive to" or "showed insensitivity toward"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "was insensitive to" is more direct. "Showed insensitivity toward" might be preferred in contexts where you want to emphasize the act of demonstrating insensitivity.

What's the difference between "was insensitive to" and "was unaware of"?

"Was unaware of" implies a lack of knowledge or perception, while "was insensitive to" suggests a lack of emotional consideration or understanding. You might be unaware of something without being insensitive, and vice versa.