are initially aware of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are initially aware of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's first recognition or understanding of a particular situation or fact. Example: "While many people are initially aware of the risks involved, they often underestimate the potential consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Self-deceivers are initially aware of moments when they shift their attention away from available evidence to something else, although they may not be aware of the overall project of their self-deception".

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Only a handful of trusted advisers, family and friends were initially aware of Galbraith's true identity until the story made headlines worldwide.

The Guardian - Books

The crash was reported by The Providence Journal on Monday which was initially aware of the incident when it asked Mr Fung if he had ever been arrested previously during a candidate interview.

Independent

Furthermore, according to our sources, Google has been building Helpouts in complete secrecy — well, until now — and few employees at the company were initially aware of the product, which has been developed by a team of two dozen engineers over the past year.

TechCrunch

Clinician participants were initially aware of the observer because they were required to sign the informed consent form.

BMJ Open

We used all the 146 articles that we were initially aware of to describe measles outbreaks in population displaced by disasters.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

I believe Armstrong got carried away by forces he could not completely control, only some of which he was initially aware and understood, their origin and extent he has only begun to fathom.

Huffington Post

We think that the results justify the conclusion that teachers who are responsible for the day release programmes in the three departments tend to respond to the evaluation results just like human beings do and, at the time of the conversation, are initially not aware of the fact that they are role models in the way they respond to feedback.

BMC Medical Education

It was lonely, and I felt like my body was against me, despite the fact UTIs are so common – something I also wasn't initially aware of.

Vice

There may be complicated elements of its care and feeding that you weren't initially aware of, which often makes the difference between suitable and not suitable.

WikiHow

Baltimore executives were not initially aware of how San Diego intended to shuttle Surhoff to the Yankees or that Soriano would be included in the trade, going to the Padres.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are initially aware of" when you want to emphasize the starting point of someone's understanding or knowledge about a situation. This implies that their awareness may evolve or deepen over time.

Common error

Avoid using "are initially aware of" when you mean that someone has a complete or comprehensive understanding. This phrase implies only a beginning level of awareness, not expertise or mastery.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are initially aware of" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It describes the state of being conscious or knowledgeable about something at the beginning. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The phrase highlights the early stages of understanding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are initially aware of" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe the beginning stages of understanding or knowledge. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys that someone has a preliminary grasp of a subject, with the implication that their understanding may evolve over time. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the level of understanding you wish to convey, distinguishing it from full comprehension. Alternatives like "first become conscious of" or "are at first informed about" can be considered to add subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first become conscious of

Focuses on the moment of becoming conscious rather than just aware.

are originally cognizant of

Uses a more formal synonym for "aware", making the phrase more academic.

are at first informed about

Emphasizes the receipt of information as the starting point of awareness.

are initially apprised of

A more formal alternative, suitable for official or professional contexts.

are originally familiar with

Highlights initial familiarity rather than strict awareness.

are initially acquainted with

Focuses on the beginning of an acquaintance or understanding.

are at the outset conscious of

Stresses the beginning and consciousness.

begin to perceive

Highlights the process of perceiving rather than a state of awareness.

start to notice

Focuses on the commencement of noticing something.

are newly aware of

Highlights the recent onset of awareness.

FAQs

What does "are initially aware of" mean?

The phrase "are initially aware of" means to have a preliminary or early understanding of something. It suggests that someone is beginning to recognize or comprehend a particular situation, fact, or concept.

How can I use "are initially aware of" in a sentence?

You can use "are initially aware of" to describe the starting point of someone's understanding, such as, "The students "are initially aware of" the basic principles of physics, but their knowledge deepens with advanced study."

What can I say instead of "are initially aware of"?

You can use alternatives like "first become conscious of", "are at first informed about", or "begin to perceive" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "initially aware"?

While "initially aware" might seem somewhat redundant, it emphasizes that the awareness is at a starting point and could change or develop further. It's useful when contrasting initial awareness with later, more complete understanding.