became aware of first

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became aware of first" is not correct in standard written English.
It can be used when discussing the initial realization or recognition of something, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "I became aware of first the issues we were facing during the meeting."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Floating there, I became aware of my first obstacle.

HuffPost

In 2012, Saudi Arabia became aware of the first case of a novel coronavirus (CoV), which later became known as MERS for Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome [ 2].

BMC Nursing

The number of hours worked per week during the first trimester was obtained by asking "On average, how many hours per week did you work when you initially became aware of your first pregnancy?".

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

A senior government official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that investigators became aware of the second intrusion while assessing the damage from the first breach.

The New York Times

Ed Ballinger, the United flight dispatcher, began sending text cockpit warnings to United Airlines flights at 09 19, 17 minutes after he became aware of the second World Trade Center impact by Flight 175.

Wikipedia

When I first became aware of him, in fourth grade, it was because of "Little Red Corvette," which sounded irresistibly cool, unassuming yet sly, brilliant but not necessarily indicative of the lengths that Prince would take us to.

The New Yorker

I first became aware of Barecca with her first book, an analysis of women's humor called "They Used To Call Me Snow White.

Huffington Post

It indicated that the crew became aware of the island seconds before impact and attempted to avoid it.

BBC

Condon first became aware of Hudson as one of the contestants on the third season of American Idol.

The Guardian - Film

I first became aware of him through "Days of Heaven".

The New York Times

First became aware of Rory Bremner taking you off?

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "became aware of first" in formal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives like "first became aware of" or "initially noticed".

Common error

Using "became aware of first" is often redundant. The inclusion of "first" is usually unnecessary because "became aware of" already implies the initial point of recognition. Prefer simpler, more direct phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became aware of first" functions as a verbal phrase, but its grammatical structure is considered incorrect. It attempts to denote the commencement of recognition or perception, but the inclusion of "first" is often redundant and structurally unsound, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "became aware of first" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and awkward. Ludwig AI indicates that it's not standard written English. It is often redundant, with "first" adding unnecessary complexity. For improved clarity and correctness, it's best to use alternatives like "first became aware of", "initially noticed", or "first realized". These alternatives offer a clearer and more concise way to express the initial recognition or understanding of something. Always prioritize grammatical accuracy and clarity in your writing to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

first became aware of

Focuses on the initial point of awareness, removing the redundant preposition.

initially noticed

Emphasizes the beginning of observation or attention.

first realized

Highlights the moment of understanding or comprehension.

became aware for the first time

Adds emphasis to the novelty of the awareness.

newly aware of

Implies a recent state of consciousness or understanding.

became conscious of

Highlights awareness coming into existence.

began to perceive

Focuses on the process of becoming aware through the senses.

recognized for the first time

Emphasizes the act of identifying or acknowledging something new.

discovered initially

Highlights the finding or uncovering of something at the beginning.

came to realize early on

Suggests an initial understanding that developed relatively soon after.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically sound alternative to "became aware of first"?

A better alternative is "first became aware of", which is more concise and grammatically correct.

When is it appropriate to use "became aware of first"?

It's rarely appropriate as the phrase is generally considered grammatically awkward. Using clearer alternatives like "initially noticed" or "first realized" is advisable.

Is there a subtle difference in meaning between "became aware of first" and "first became aware of"?

While the intended meaning might be similar, "first became aware of" is structurally sound and emphasizes the initial instance of awareness. The alternative "became aware of first" is grammatically awkward and unclear.

What are some synonyms for "became aware of first" that maintain a similar meaning?

Synonyms include "initially perceived", "early on realized", or simply "discovered early", depending on the intended context.