consciously

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "consciously" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adverb that indicates the subject is performing an action with intent or awareness. An example sentence is: I consciously decided to stick to my diet.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

They see the mother as responsible for consciously disabling her child, but I assume they distinguish between a mother aborting a foetus and a mother harming a foetus she intends to bring to life.

The Guardian - Opinion

I don't think Margaret consciously exploited her gender, so much as it was something of which her interlocutors were always aware.

The Guardian

"The one thing I'd want to take from his music, if I were able to drink it consciously into my own, is the tenderness and vulnerability.

The Guardian - Music

None of this information has to be consciously supplied by the user.

The Guardian - Business

And there's little chance that What Would Kenny Do? will be nearly as hopeless as 1997's Double Team, the film that consciously decided to buddy Jean-Claude Van Damme with green-haired basketball weirdo Dennis Rodman and make them battle a nonspecific international conspiracy by jumping out of an aeroplane and getting chased around by tigers.

The Guardian - Film

Just when it seemed as if things couldn't get worse, a final body-blow: a feature in Heat magazine on the apparently complicated love life of Paltrow's consciously uncoupled husband.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

At this point Emilie does a remarkable thing: she changes languages, from French to Flemish to English, and as she does so her body language changes and she is no longer the elfin Parisian gamine but morphs almost into a sort of Englishwoman – less self-consciously cute and man-pleasing and a bit more real.

The Guardian - Film

If heroin in Berlin is a product of history and politics, it seems then that heroin use in Paris has been a more self-consciously intellectual affair.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Rubens was self-consciously and openly indebted to other artists.

The Guardian - Arts

Reid, along with his one-time mentor Craig Raine, is an exponent of so-called Martian poetry, which self-consciously strives to use curious visual metaphors and to describe the familiar in ­unfamiliar and insightful ways, as though through the eyes of a Martian (Raine's 1979 ­collection of poetry A Martian Sends a Postcard Home is a key text).

The Guardian - Books

His hobby, unexpected in a man self-consciously bluff, was designing his own spectacular ties.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "consciously" when you want to emphasize that someone is aware and in control of their actions or thoughts. For instance, instead of saying "He made an effort to be polite", consider "He consciously made an effort to be polite" to highlight his deliberate intention.

Common error

Avoid using "consciously" when you mean something was done without awareness or intent. "Subconsciously" is the correct term for actions or thoughts occurring below the level of awareness. Example: Don't say "He consciously avoided the topic" if he didn't realize he was doing it; use "He subconsciously avoided the topic" instead.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "consciously" modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating that an action or state is performed with awareness and intention. Ludwig AI provides examples where "consciously" modifies verbs like 'decided', 'take', and 'think', illustrating its role in adding nuance to how actions are performed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "consciously" is a common and versatile adverb used to emphasize that an action or thought is performed with full awareness and intent. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, indicating that it's well-suited for various contexts, particularly in news, business, and formal writing. When using "consciously", be mindful of its precise meaning and avoid confusing it with "subconsciously", which has the opposite meaning. Using related phrases like "deliberately" or "intentionally" can add nuance to your writing. By understanding its function and usage, you can effectively convey the intended meaning in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deliberately

Implies a more calculated and intentional action than "consciously".

intentionally

Similar to "deliberately" but can also suggest a predetermined plan.

knowingly

Emphasizes awareness of the facts and implications of an action.

purposefully

Highlights the specific goal or aim behind the action.

volitionally

Stresses the act of willing or choosing to do something.

with awareness

A more descriptive alternative emphasizing the state of being aware.

on purpose

A more informal way of saying intentionally.

by design

Suggests that something was planned or arranged with a specific intent.

in full knowledge

Highlights that the action was done with complete understanding.

advisedly

Indicates that the action was done after careful consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "consciously" in a sentence?

The word "consciously" is used to describe an action done with awareness and intention. For example, "I "consciously decided" to take a break from social media" indicates a deliberate choice.

What are some alternatives to "consciously"?

You can use alternatives like "deliberately", "intentionally", or "knowingly" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "consciously" and "subconsciously"?

"Consciously" refers to actions or thoughts that are performed with full awareness, while "subconsciously" refers to those occurring without awareness. For example, one might "consciously" make a decision, but "subconsciously" tap their foot when nervous.

Is it correct to say "unconsciously" instead of "consciously"?

No, "unconsciously" has the opposite meaning of "consciously". "Unconsciously" means without awareness, so it should not be used when you want to express that someone is aware and in control of their actions. For example, I "consciously chose" to exercise implies the decision was made with deliberation, whereas "unconsciously" suggests it happened without intent.