develop an awareness of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "develop an awareness of" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it when you want to suggest that a person should have a greater understanding or knowledge of a certain subject or topic. For example, "We need to develop an awareness of the environmental impacts of our actions if we want to make a positive change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

To develop an awareness of something bigger than just where they're going to put their fingers on the string".

The Guardian - Music

"Health and social benefits, free fun, it helps children develop an awareness of their neighbourhood and prepares them more for more freedom in later years.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

By being more attentive, you can "develop an awareness of the interrelationships and levels of influence that exist in your office and how those could affect your job and the work that you do," she said.

The New York Times

He or she will repeat those actions or mimic them from other people and start to develop an awareness of humour based on the reactions of those around them".

Independent

Children need to develop an awareness of themselves and of their relation to others, and looking at photos of themselves with their friends and family very likely helps build this recognition.

The New York Times

"You have to get them to develop an awareness of how they feel about themselves before you can move on to dealing with how they think their victim might have felt.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Life there is getting better, and the E. Germans are developing an awareness of themselves as a nation.

The New Yorker

'The women's movement had developed an awareness of the importance of [such] lives, and yet we needed examples.

The Guardian - Books

Today, as the church has recovered its place in Serbian society, it has also developed an awareness of the financial value of these water resources.

The New York Times

Writing instructors have techniques for stimulating production, exercises for developing an awareness of how literature works, formulas encapsulating their particular notions of craft.

The New Yorker

The crux of the course will be developing an awareness of reputation management – something which is increasingly central to organisations and powerful individuals.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "develop an awareness of", ensure you specify what exactly the awareness is about. Clarity is key for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "develop an awareness of" without clearly stating what the subject of awareness is. For example, instead of saying "We need to develop an awareness", specify "We need to develop an awareness of the project's risks".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop an awareness of" functions as a verb phrase indicating the process of gaining knowledge, understanding, or perception regarding a specific subject. It suggests a gradual increase in one's comprehension, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "develop an awareness of" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the process of gaining understanding or knowledge about something. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and suitable for written English. While "develop an awareness of" appears most frequently in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal register. Related phrases include "cultivate an understanding of" and "gain insight into". When using this phrase, ensure you clearly specify the subject of awareness to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cultivate an understanding of

This alternative suggests a more deliberate and nurtured approach to gaining understanding.

foster a recognition of

This phrase emphasizes encouraging the acknowledgement of something's importance or existence.

gain insight into

This suggests obtaining a deeper and more profound understanding.

acquire a comprehension of

This phrase emphasizes the process of obtaining a full understanding.

build familiarity with

This alternative focuses on becoming better acquainted and more comfortable with something.

form a perception of

This emphasizes creating an impression or view of something.

grow conscious of

This phrase focuses on the gradual process of becoming aware.

sensitize oneself to

This alternative highlights becoming more receptive and responsive to something.

sharpen one's focus on

This implies improving one's ability to concentrate and understand something.

achieve a cognizance of

This alternative suggests reaching a state of knowing or being informed.

FAQs

How can I use "develop an awareness of" in a sentence?

You can use "develop an awareness of" to indicate the process of gaining understanding or knowledge about something. For instance, "Students should "develop an awareness of" different cultures" or "Employees need to "develop an awareness of" company policies".

What are some alternatives to "develop an awareness of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "cultivate an understanding of", "gain insight into", or "acquire a comprehension of", which all suggest increasing one's knowledge or understanding.

Is it better to say "develop an awareness for" or "develop an awareness of"?

"Develop an awareness of" is the more standard and grammatically correct phrase. "Develop an awareness for" is less common and might sound awkward to native English speakers.

What's the difference between "develop an awareness of" and "increase knowledge of"?

"Develop an awareness of" implies a broader understanding and recognition, while "increase knowledge of" focuses more specifically on accumulating factual information. You might "develop an awareness of" social issues, but "increase knowledge of" scientific facts.