become aware of

USAGE SUMMARY

"become aware of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone is learning or recognizing something new. For example, "The teacher asked the students to become aware of the consequences of their actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You become aware of something very dark.

The New York Times - Books

What do we become aware of?

The New Yorker

I become aware of a commotion at reception.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To perceive is to become aware of stimulation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Children become aware of their parents' gluttonous adulteries.

The New York Times - Books

Together we must become aware of the challenges ahead.

Independent

You become aware of details you've never noticed.

The New York Times

They have become aware of their power over me.

The New Yorker

You become aware of it, you have the conversation.

The New York Times

We may first become aware of time through repetition.

The New York Times - Arts

"Become aware of where you are right now.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "become aware of" when you want to emphasize the process of gaining awareness or understanding, rather than simply stating knowledge. For example, instead of saying "He knew the risks", you might say "He became aware of the risks" to highlight the shift in his understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "become aware of" in overly verbose constructions where simpler alternatives exist. For instance, instead of writing "He needed to become aware of the fact that...", consider streamlining the sentence to "He needed to realize that..." for greater clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become aware of" functions as a verb phrase indicating the process of gaining knowledge, understanding, or perception. It emphasizes the transition from a state of unawareness to one of awareness. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to denote someone learning or recognizing something new.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "become aware of" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the process of gaining knowledge or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English writing, noting its function to indicate learning or recognition. It enjoys widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news, general writing and scientific domains, and the multiple examples Ludwig provides demonstrate its broad applicability. While alternatives like "realize" or "understand" exist, "become aware of" specifically emphasizes the transition to a state of awareness. When employing this phrase, aim for conciseness and avoid redundant constructions to maintain clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

realize

This alternative suggests a sudden understanding or comprehension, often implying a shift in perspective.

understand

Focuses on having a clear grasp of the nature, significance, or explanation of something.

recognize

Implies identifying something already present or known, but not fully acknowledged.

grasp

Similar to "understand" but implies a more immediate or intuitive comprehension.

notice

Focuses on the act of observing or paying attention to something.

discover

Suggests finding something previously unknown or hidden.

perceive

Suggests gaining awareness through the senses or intuition.

take note of

Emphasizes the act of paying careful attention and remembering something.

apprehend

Implies grasping the meaning or significance of something.

find out

A more informal way of saying "discover", implying the process of learning something.

FAQs

How can I use "become aware of" in a sentence?

You can use "become aware of" to describe the process of someone gaining knowledge or understanding about something. For example, "The students "became aware of" the importance of recycling after the presentation."

What are some alternatives to "become aware of"?

Alternatives to "become aware of" include "realize", "recognize", "notice", or "understand", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "become aware of" or simply "know"?

"Become aware of" emphasizes the process of gaining knowledge, while "know" implies already possessing that knowledge. Use "become aware of" when you want to highlight the transition in understanding. Otherwise, if you simply want to express knowledge of something, you can just use the word know.

What's the difference between "become aware of" and "become conscious of"?

"Become aware of" generally refers to gaining knowledge or understanding, while "become conscious of" often refers to becoming aware of a physical sensation, emotion, or internal state. For example, you might "become aware of" a new policy at work, but you would "become conscious of" your breathing during meditation.