cognizant

USAGE SUMMARY

'cognizant' is a perfectly valid word in written English.
It is an adjective meaning "aware of and responding to one's surroundings; having knowledge." For example, "He was cognizant of the implications of his words before he said them."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

According to the suit, the plaintiff "only recently became cognizant that he has suffered psychological and emotional injuries, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life as a result of the Defendants' sexual acts.

The Guardian - Film

The United States is, I think, a remarkably resilient economy still...But we need to be cognizant that the market is torn between two quite plausible scenarios.

The Economist

It is also investing heavily in training: a new Cognizant campus in Chennai will include an "academy" capable of holding classes for 2,000 people simultaneously.

The Economist

We must face resolutely the grim realities of this hour, fully cognizant of the fact that the Communists can be restrained only by firmness and countervailing power.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After Leibelei, Ophüls, cognizant of the growing influence of the Nazis, left Germany and directed popular but undistinguished films in France, Russia, Italy, and the Netherlands until 1940.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Though cognizant of the problems posed by merchants and the spread of a commercial economy, Tanuma chose not to suppress the activities of big-city merchants but rather used them to promote production; while advancing the development of the commercial economy, he sought to control it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Williams was cognizant of the doubts that exist regarding whether this ideal is intelligible, let alone attainable, in light of the fact that human thinking must start from some particular historical moment and must use the contingent biological faculties and cultural tools that happen to be at hand.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although all the major composers were church trained and fully cognizant of modal structures, a rapidly increasing use of chromatic tones in the 16th century lessened the influence of modal sonorities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In particular, it has been found necessary to treat components of ocean water in terms of all their influxes and effluxes and to be more cognizant of the time scale of application of the steady-state concept.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Primarily concerned with the safety and welfare of the person, an advocate of hard paternalism would permit restrictions of liberty to prevent suicide or grave personal harm even when a person in question is fully cognizant of his actions and their consequences.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Cognizant of the popular appeal of nationalism, the Nationalist Party set up a government pledged to achieve national unity at home and national independence from foreign control as prerequisites to a program of modernization and national reconstruction.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cognizant" when you want to emphasize a state of being fully aware and understanding of something, often with implications for action or decision-making.

Common error

While "cognizant" is a perfectly valid word, consider using simpler alternatives like "aware" or "conscious" in informal writing or conversation for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "cognizant" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns or pronouns to describe a state of awareness or understanding. Ludwig confirms this is a perfectly valid English word. For example, "He was cognizant of the risks involved."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

26%

News & Media

26%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cognizant" is a grammatically correct adjective indicating a state of awareness and understanding, as affirmed by Ludwig. It is very common, especially in encyclopedias, news and media, and scientific contexts. While it's a strong choice for formal writing to emphasize deep awareness, remember that simpler terms like "aware" might be more appropriate in casual settings. The examples from Ludwig show it's used to highlight the implications of understanding, reinforcing its formal and thoughtful connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aware of

Direct synonym, focusing on the state of being informed.

conscious of

Similar to "aware of", but may imply a more active perception.

mindful of

Suggests attentiveness and consideration towards something.

informed about

Emphasizes the possession of information.

acquainted with

Implies familiarity and some level of understanding.

apprised of

Formal term indicating being officially notified.

conversant with

Suggests a good understanding and ability to discuss something.

familiar with

Indicates a basic understanding or knowledge.

sensible of

Highlights sensitivity and awareness of the impact.

abreast of

Suggests keeping up-to-date with the latest information.

FAQs

How can I use "cognizant" in a sentence?

Use "cognizant" to indicate awareness or understanding of something. For example, "The company is "cognizant of" its environmental impact".

What are some alternatives to "cognizant"?

You can use alternatives such as "aware of", "conscious of", or "mindful of" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "aware" or "cognizant"?

Both "aware" and "cognizant" express a state of knowing, but "cognizant" often implies a deeper, more comprehensive understanding. "Aware" is generally more common and versatile.

What's the difference between "cognizant" and "conscious"?

"Conscious" generally refers to being awake and aware of one's surroundings. "Cognizant" implies a specific awareness or understanding of particular information or circumstances. For instance, you are "conscious of" the noise, but "cognizant of" its potential impact on your work.