cognizance

USAGE SUMMARY

"cognizance" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is usually used to mean "knowledge or awareness of something." For example, "I took cognizance of the fact that the deadline was approaching."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

And this dip is more pragmatic than ideological, reflecting a growing cognizance of the infeasible fiscal trajectories of these programmes.

The Economist

"Reason is the life of the law," Coke said, and the law "is an act which required long study and experience before that a man can attain to the cognizance of it".

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the case of telephone engineering, systems engineering groups have been set up formally as permanent parts of the overall organizational structure, each group having cognizance over some wide area of telephone technology.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There were no orthodox Hegelians, but there were denominational critics of Hegelianism, especially Roman Catholics, whose cognizance of Hegel's painful development invoked, despite their differences, a certain fellow feeling with him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If art must take cognizance of morality, equally morality must take cognizance of art.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The work is notable for its scholarship, impartiality, and cognizance of social and economic currents in Jewish history.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although it took no cognizance of topography, it facilitated the development of land markets by establishing standard-sized lots that could be easily bought and sold—even sight unseen.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The encyclical Rerum Novarum ("Of New Things") in 1891, though rather cautious in its approach, showed that the papacy had taken cognizance of the problems of the working class.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The "theologies"—for want of a better term of the various religions are concerned with religious phenomena, and the adherents of the religions of the more "advanced" cultures are themselves constrained especially at a time of increasing cultural interdependency to take cognizance of and to interpret theologically the fact that besides their own religion there are many others.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

He was a specialist in the fields of Decade-Cognizance and De-Iconization.

The New Yorker

Skinner's first big mistake, then, was in failing to recognize that language mastery involves knowledge (or, as Chomsky later called it 'cognizance') of linguistic rules and conventions.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cognizance" when you want to emphasize a formal or official acknowledgment of something. It's often found in legal, academic, and professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "cognizance" when simpler terms like "awareness" or "knowledge" would suffice. Overusing "cognizance" can make your writing sound unnecessarily pretentious or convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "cognizance" is as a noun, representing the state of being aware or having knowledge of something. Ludwig AI validates its usage in diverse contexts, confirming its role in denoting awareness or understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

35%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cognizance" is a noun that denotes awareness or knowledge, often used in formal contexts. Ludwig's analysis reveals that it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, encyclopedic, and scientific sources. While "cognizance" is valid, be mindful of overusing it when simpler alternatives like "awareness" or "knowledge" would be more appropriate. The expert rating confirms its strong grammatical standing and the authority of sources that employ it. Whether you're writing a legal document, an academic paper, or a news article, understanding the nuances of "cognizance" will enhance your writing's precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awareness

Focuses on the state of being conscious or knowing about something.

knowledge

Emphasizes the understanding and information possessed about a subject.

understanding

Highlights the comprehension and grasp of a concept or situation.

consciousness

Refers to the state of being aware of and responsive to one's surroundings.

perception

Stresses the process of becoming aware through the senses.

realization

Implies a sudden awareness or understanding.

appreciation

Suggests a valuing or recognition of the significance of something.

insight

Conveys a deep understanding or intuitive grasp.

familiarity

Indicates a state of being well-acquainted with something.

acquaintance

Implies a superficial level of awareness or knowledge.

FAQs

How to use "cognizance" in a sentence?

"Cognizance" typically refers to the awareness or knowledge of something. For instance, you might say, "The court took "cognizance" of the new evidence" or "She showed little "awareness" of the risks involved".

What can I say instead of "cognizance"?

You can use alternatives like ""awareness"", "knowledge", "understanding", or "consciousness" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "cognizance" or "cognisance"?

Both "cognizance" and "cognisance" are correct, with "cognizance" being the more common spelling in American English, and "cognisance" being more prevalent in British English. They both mean awareness or knowledge.

What's the difference between "cognizance" and "cognition"?

"Cognizance" refers to the awareness or knowledge of something, while "cognition" refers to the mental processes involved in knowing, understanding, and learning. Cognition is the broader term encompassing all mental activities, while cognizance is a specific state of awareness.