We were unaware

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "We were unaware" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a lack of knowledge or awareness about something in the past. Example: "We were unaware of the changes in the schedule until we arrived at the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We were unaware of these deals," Krulewitz said.

The New York Times - Sports

"We were unaware that this nurse had a prior record of drug problems," he said.

The New York Times

"We were unaware of what has happened" at Johns Hopkins, Mr. Kelley said.

The New York Times

"We were unaware of the closeness of his relationship with Judge Luttig.

The New York Times

"We were unaware of the curfew and unprepared," says a waitress.

The Economist

"We were unaware that it was operating," said Andrew Metcalf, director of the agency's bureau of commercial services.

The New York Times

"We were unaware, however, that those arrangements were in any way inappropriate, and regret to learn now that they apparently were".

The New York Times - Sports

We were unaware of her appearance on 'This Morning' and it is our opinion that Kerry should not have appeared on the programme".

The Guardian

We were unaware at that point that the ruling Congress Party was using all the organs of the Indian state to conduct a pogrom.

The New York Times

We were unaware of the arrangement in place, but following conversations with both parties, we understand that [the reader] was withdrawing cash on [his uncle's] behalf.

Independent

We were unaware of the devastation about to begin.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were unaware", ensure that the subject 'we' is clearly defined and that the object of unawareness is specified to avoid ambiguity. For example, "We were unaware of the potential risks involved."

Common error

Avoid using "we were unaware" without specifying what exactly was unknown. Saying "We were unaware" without context leaves the reader wondering what information was missing. Always provide specifics to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were unaware" functions as a declarative statement expressing a lack of knowledge or consciousness regarding a specific fact or situation at some point in the past. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is correct and usable in English, and is used to express a lack of knowledge.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were unaware" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express a lack of knowledge or realization about something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and useful expression in English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, followed by scientific and formal business settings. When using the phrase, ensure that the scope of what was unknown is clearly specified to avoid ambiguity. For alternative expressions, consider options such as "we didn't realize" or "we had no idea". Finally, it's important to consider the register and choose "we were unaware" for neutral, news, formal or professional communications, and similar but less formal phrases like "we didn't know" for informal environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we didn't realize

Highlights the absence of understanding or realization.

we had no idea

Expresses a complete lack of understanding or anticipation.

we had no knowledge

Emphasizes the complete absence of information.

we weren't conscious of

Focuses on a lack of conscious perception.

we were oblivious to

Emphasizes a lack of awareness due to being preoccupied or inattentive.

we weren't informed

Indicates a lack of notification or communication.

we were ignorant of

Indicates a lack of knowledge or information about something.

we hadn't been told

Highlights a lack of prior communication, focusing on the act of being informed.

it escaped our notice

Highlights that something was missed or overlooked.

we overlooked

Suggests something was missed or not given enough attention.

FAQs

What does "we were unaware" mean?

The phrase "we were unaware" signifies a state of not knowing or not being conscious of something at a particular time. It indicates a lack of knowledge or realization about a specific fact, situation, or piece of information.

How can I use "we were unaware" in a sentence?

You can use "we were unaware" to express a past state of ignorance. For example, "We were unaware that the meeting had been canceled" or "We were unaware of the potential consequences of our actions".

What can I say instead of "we were unaware"?

You can use alternatives like "we didn't realize", "we had no idea", or "we weren't informed" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "we were unaware" or "we didn't know"?

"We were unaware" is generally more formal than "we didn't know". The best choice depends on the context. "We were unaware" might be more appropriate in professional or academic settings, while "we didn't know" is suitable for informal communication.