has been aware

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been aware" is an acceptable and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone having known an information or fact for some period of time in the past. Example: The mayor has been aware of the problem for months but has done nothing to address it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Greene has been aware of the situation with Jones.

The New York Times - Sports

She has been aware of his existence as a successful doctor.

The New York Times

"Every step of the way, Stephen Harper has been aware of this.

The New York Times

The vulnerability of the system is something AT&T has been aware of for 10 years".

The New York Times

The party has been aware for several months that this is an issue.

The Guardian

Mr. Buckley has been aware of the fund since he was a child.

The New York Times

I think that everyone has been aware of it, for quite a while.

The New York Times

It turns out that he has been aware he was different from a remarkably early age.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

She may have been aware of this.

The New Yorker

Bidders would have been aware that other casts are available.

The New York Times - Arts

"Not that I've been aware of," she says.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been aware" to indicate that someone has possessed knowledge of something for a period of time, without necessarily implying action or response. For example, "The company has been aware of the security vulnerability for months."

Common error

Avoid assuming that because someone "has been aware" of something, they have necessarily acted on that knowledge. Clearly state any actions taken separately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been aware" functions as a present perfect continuous construction, indicating a state of knowing or understanding that started in the past and continues to the present. Ludwig shows its prevalent use in conveying that someone possessed knowledge about something over a period of time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been aware" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone has possessed knowledge of something for a period of time. As Ludwig points out, it functions as a present perfect continuous construction, often used in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While interchangeable with synonyms like "has known" or "has been conscious of", it is crucial to avoid assuming that awareness automatically implies action. The expression is versatile and can be effectively used in various writing scenarios to convey a state of knowledge over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has known

Implies a direct and certain knowledge, differing from the more passive awareness suggested by the original phrase.

has understood

Focuses on comprehension rather than just awareness, suggesting a deeper level of processing.

has been conscious of

Suggests a deliberate attention to something, whereas the original can imply a more general understanding.

has recognized

Emphasizes the act of identifying something, differing from the continuous state of awareness.

has been cognizant of

Indicates a formal or intellectual awareness, different from the broader use of "has been aware".

has been mindful of

Suggests consideration and attention towards something, implying more active engagement.

has been informed about

Highlights the reception of information, focusing on the communication aspect rather than the state of being aware.

has been alerted to

Highlights the process of receiving a warning or notification, adding a sense of urgency.

has been apprised of

Implies a formal notification or briefing, adding a layer of procedural awareness.

has been no stranger to

Indicates familiarity gained through repeated exposure or experience.

FAQs

How can I use "has been aware" in a sentence?

Use "has been aware" to indicate that a person or entity has possessed knowledge of something for a certain duration. For example, "The government "has been aware of these problems" for months."

What are some alternatives to "has been aware"?

You can use phrases like "has known", "has been conscious of", or "has been informed about" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "has been aware of the situation"?

While it can sometimes be more concise to simply say "has been aware", specifying "of the situation" can provide valuable context and clarity, particularly when the subject of awareness isn't immediately obvious.

What's the difference between "has been aware" and "is aware"?

"Has been aware" indicates that knowledge has existed for some time, while "is aware" describes a current state of knowledge. For example, "The team has been aware of the deadline for weeks" versus "The team is aware of the deadline."