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Prepositions after adjectives

ignorant: which preposition follows it?

Ignorant of is the standard pattern for lacking knowledge. Ignorant about is also common in informal use. Other combinations are usually not idiomatic unless the preposition belongs to another part of the sentence.

Quick answer

Most common uses

Use ignorant of for lacking knowledge of a fact, subject, or situation. Ignorant about is also used, especially in conversation, for general topics. Ignorant to, ignorant in, and ignorant on are usually unnatural as direct complements.

She was completely ignorant of the rule change.
Many voters are ignorant about the tax proposal.
He remained ignorant of their plans.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
ignorant of + fact/topic

Lacking knowledge

This is the standard and most formal pattern.

They were ignorant of the risks.
2
ignorant about + topic

General discussion topics

Common in conversation when talking about broad subjects.

I'm fairly ignorant about modern art.
3
ignorant in + area

Limited use with fields

Ignorant in can appear before an area of knowledge, but it is less common than ignorant of.

She felt ignorant in financial matters.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
ignorant of
He is ignorant of the law.
Standard pattern meaning unaware or lacking knowledge.
ignorant about
They are ignorant about climate policy.
Common informal alternative for general subjects.
ignorant to
The phrase ignorant to the facts sounds unnatural.
Usually nonstandard as a complement after ignorant.
ignorant on
She is ignorant on the issue is uncommon.
Usually replaced by ignorant about or ignorant of.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using ignorant to as the main pattern

English normally uses of after ignorant.

✕ ignorant to the problem ✓ ignorant of the problem

Confusing topic and location

On can introduce a separate topic phrase after a noun, but not usually directly after ignorant.

✕ ignorant on economics ✓ ignorant about economics

Overusing ignorant in

In is possible but less natural in most contexts.

✓ ignorant of basic history

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She was ignorant ___ the new policy.
2. Many people are ignorant ___ cryptocurrency.
3. Which sentence is most natural?

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Frequently asked questions

Is ignorant about wrong?

No. It is common, especially in informal English, for general topics.

Can I say ignorant to?

It is usually considered nonstandard in current English.

What is the most formal choice?

Ignorant of is the safest and most formal pattern.

ideal-for-in-as-at, from "identical to" or "identical with"? identifiable by, as, with, in or to? "idle for" or "idle in"? "illegal in" or "illegal for"? illustrative of, in, rather or for? ill with, in, for, at or of? "immune to" or "immune from"? "impatient with" or "impatient for"? "imperative for" or "imperative to"? impervious to, from or in? implicit in, to, within, from or rather?

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