heighten awareness

USAGE SUMMARY

"heighten awareness" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe the act of becoming more aware of something. For example, "The teacher wanted to heighten awareness of the importance of conservation among her students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is also thought to increase stamina and heighten awareness.

Independent

Boycotts and other actions that heighten awareness of such abuses are a success.

The New York Times

So I applaud those doctors working to heighten awareness of the risks of twin pregnancies.

The New York Times

Mr. Barry's visually minimal, verbally paradoxical works operate like Zen koans to heighten awareness of the mystery of consciousness.

The New York Times - Arts

He has also launched a public information campaign to heighten awareness about what he calls a "barbaric" crime.

The New York Times

In 1999, she formed the Mia Foundation to heighten awareness for such diseases and to promote opportunities for young women in sports.

The New York Times

What Auden's dictum leaves out is the capacity of art, from Aristophanes's Lysistrata to Swift's Modest Proposal and Picasso's Guernica, to heighten awareness and rearrange consciousness.

The Guardian

Iams folded the obesity estimate into the publicity for its "Iams Friends in Fitness Challenge," an educational campaign to heighten awareness of its L-carnitine-enhanced formulas.

The New York Times

A programme note by Alan Sinfield implies the intention is to heighten awareness of "the general instability of gender roles in our time".

The Guardian

That is the reason it staged this tour, and the visit may heighten awareness for the team, which has a marketing agreement with YankeeNets.

The New York Times - Sports

An important if less obvious legacy of Orientalism has been to heighten awareness among academics of the positions from which we write.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "heighten awareness", ensure that the object of awareness is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "heighten awareness of climate change" rather than just "heighten awareness."

Common error

Avoid using "heighten awareness" as a generic call to action without a specific goal or target audience. Instead, focus on concrete actions that will lead to increased understanding and engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heighten awareness" functions as a verb phrase where "heighten" (verb) modifies the noun "awareness". According to Ludwig, it expresses the action of making someone more conscious or informed about something. It often serves as a call to action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heighten awareness" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe the act of making people more conscious of a particular issue. According to Ludwig, the phrase is widely used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business, with a neutral to formal tone. Its primary function is to inform and often persuade, advocating for change or engagement. While alternatives like "increase understanding" or "raise consciousness" exist, "heighten awareness" remains a direct and effective way to call attention to important topics. It's crucial to clearly define the object of awareness to avoid vagueness, enhancing the phrase's impact. The consistent usage and straightforward meaning contribute to its high usability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raise consciousness

This alternative uses a different verb with similar implications and meaning.

boost consciousness

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

increase understanding

Focuses on the cognitive aspect of grasping a subject, rather than just being aware.

promote knowledge

Centers on disseminating information to broaden the understanding of a topic.

improve perception

Highlights the enhancement of sensory or intuitive understanding.

develop insight

Implies gaining a deeper and more nuanced comprehension.

foster recognition

Emphasizes promoting acknowledgment and acceptance of something.

cultivate sensitivity

Suggests developing a refined understanding and empathy towards a particular issue.

sharpen focus

Directs attention more precisely onto a specific subject or detail.

broaden horizons

Expands the scope of one's understanding and perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "heighten awareness" in a sentence?

You can use "heighten awareness" to describe efforts to increase understanding of a particular issue, for example, "The campaign aims to "heighten awareness" of the importance of early cancer detection".

What are some alternatives to "heighten awareness"?

Alternatives include "increase understanding", "improve perception", or "raise consciousness", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "heighten awareness" or "raise awareness"?

Both "heighten awareness" and "raise awareness" are correct and widely used. The choice depends on personal preference, as they convey essentially the same meaning.

What does it mean to "heighten awareness" of a social issue?

To "heighten awareness" of a social issue means to increase public knowledge, understanding, and concern about that issue, often through campaigns, education, or media coverage.