I was aware of

USAGE SUMMARY

"I was aware of" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It indicates that the speaker had knowledge or understanding of something. Examples: 1. "I was aware of the potential consequences of my actions, but I couldn't help myself." 2. "She was aware of the rumors surrounding her, but she chose to ignore them." 3. "We were both aware of the risks involved, but we decided to proceed with the plan anyway." 4. "He was not aware of the changes in the company's policies, which caused him to make a mistake." 5. "They were aware of the danger lurking in the woods, but they continued on their hike."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I was aware of that.

The New Yorker

He adds, "I was aware of everything.

The New Yorker

But I was aware of it.

The New Yorker

And yet, I was aware of that".

The New Yorker

I was aware of their affiliations.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was aware of them.

The Guardian - Music

I was aware of racism.

The Guardian

"I was aware of my dad's death.

The Guardian

"I was aware of the programme.

The Guardian

"I was aware of football regulations.

The Guardian - Sport

But I was aware of tensions.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure that the object you are aware of is clearly defined and relevant to the context.

Common error

Avoid substituting "of" with other prepositions like "about" or "with" after "aware". While "aware about" might sound acceptable, it's grammatically incorrect. Always use "aware of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was aware of" functions as a declarative statement expressing the speaker's prior knowledge or understanding of something. It introduces a fact or situation that the speaker was cognizant of. Ludwig provides several examples illustrating this usage.

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, "I was aware of" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to indicate prior knowledge or understanding. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and indicates the speaker had knowledge or understanding of something. As demonstrated by the numerous examples found, it's primarily used in news and media contexts, carrying a neutral tone suitable for various situations. When writing, remember to use the correct preposition "of" and be clear about the object you were aware of. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "I knew about" or "I was conscious of", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was conscious of

This alternative suggests a state of active awareness or perception.

I knew about

This alternative is a more direct and less formal way of expressing knowledge.

I was informed about

This alternative highlights that the awareness came from an external source.

I had knowledge of

This alternative is a more formal and emphatic way of expressing awareness.

I perceived

This alternative indicates awareness through sensory input or intuition.

I took note of

This alternative highlights the act of paying attention and remembering something.

I understood

This alternative focuses on comprehension and understanding rather than just being aware.

I recognized

This implies a prior familiarity or ability to identify something.

It was brought to my attention

This alternative emphasizes how the information came to the speaker's notice.

I had an inkling about

This suggests a vague or uncertain awareness.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I was aware of"?

You can use alternatives like "I knew about", "I was conscious of", or "I had knowledge of" depending on the context.

How to use "I was aware of" in a sentence?

Use "I was aware of" to indicate that you had prior knowledge or understanding of something. For example, "I was aware of the risks involved in the project."

Which is correct, "I was aware of" or "I am aware of"?

"I was aware of" refers to past knowledge or understanding, while "I am aware of" refers to present knowledge. The correct choice depends on the time frame you're referring to.

What's the difference between "I was aware of" and "I found out about"?

"I was aware of" means you had prior knowledge, whereas "I found out about" implies you gained knowledge at a specific point in time. One indicates previous knowledge, the other indicates new discovery.