I was aware that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'I was aware that' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to state that you had knowledge of a particular fact. For example: I was aware that the meeting had been canceled when I arrived at the office.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was aware that I was up.

Independent

I was aware that he was married.

The New York Times

I was aware that somebody was filming.

The Guardian - Music

I was aware that people had died.

The New York Times

— Herman Cain "I was aware that an agreement was reached.

The New Yorker

I was aware that I was very lucky.

Independent

I was aware that it was a land of traditions.

The New York Times - Travel

"I was aware that Sarah and David were always there.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But I was aware that I was different.

The New York Times - Magazine

So I was aware that there were healthy differences.

The New York Times - Arts

"I was aware that I was not among the favourites," he said.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was aware that" to clearly state your understanding or knowledge of a specific situation or fact. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "I was aware that" excessively in casual conversation can sound overly formal. Consider using simpler alternatives like "I knew" or "I understood" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was aware that" functions as a declarative statement, indicating the speaker's knowledge or understanding of a particular fact or situation. It introduces a clause expressing what the speaker knew. This is confirmed by Ludwig, which highlights its correctness in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was aware that" is a grammatically correct and very common way to express knowledge or understanding of a particular fact. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, although it tends to be more common in news and media, formal, and scientific writing. While effective, it's important to be mindful of the context. In very casual settings, simpler alternatives like "I knew" or "I understood" might be more appropriate. Remember to use this phrase to clearly state your understanding while considering the tone and formality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I knew that

This alternative is a more direct and concise way to express awareness, emphasizing knowing something as a fact.

I was informed that

This alternative emphasizes receiving information from an external source.

I was conscious that

This alternative highlights being mentally aware or attentive.

I understood that

This alternative emphasizes comprehension and understanding of the information.

I realized that

This alternative emphasizes a moment of sudden understanding or realization.

I recognized that

This alternative focuses on identifying or acknowledging something.

I was cognizant that

A more formal alternative indicating conscious awareness.

I had knowledge that

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the possession of information.

I perceived that

This alternative suggests a more subtle or intuitive understanding.

It was known to me that

This alternative is a passive construction that shifts the focus to the information itself.

FAQs

How can I use "I was aware that" in a sentence?

You can use "I was aware that" to introduce a piece of information that you knew or understood. For example, "I was aware that the project deadline was approaching".

What's a more casual alternative to "I was aware that"?

For less formal situations, you might use phrases like "I knew that", "I understood that", or "I realized that".

Is it ever incorrect to use "I was aware that"?

No, it is grammatically correct. However, overuse in very informal settings might sound stilted. Consider the context and your audience when choosing your words.

What's the difference between "I was aware that" and "I became aware that"?

"I was aware that" implies a state of knowing something for some time. "I became aware that" suggests a point in time when you gained that knowledge.