not conscious of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not conscious of" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate a lack of awareness or knowledge about something. Example: She was not conscious of the time passing during the meeting. Alternative expressions include "unaware of" and "oblivious to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was not conscious of prejudice".

The Guardian - Books

"He was not conscious of what he was doing".

The New York Times

You're not conscious of being brave, you just do them.

The Guardian

The person, while alive, was not conscious of any uncommon situation of his heart.

The New York Times - Science

And the really scary thing is that we're not conscious of it anymore.

The New York Times - Magazine

I am not conscious of lifting either, but it doesn't mean [the viewers] are wrong".

Independent

"We are not conscious of the actual moment of the present.

The New Yorker

"And they've very sensitive to what's going on even if they're not conscious of it".

The Guardian - Books

Sound powerfully affects us in four ways, even though we're generally not conscious of them.

The Guardian - Opinion

They're bad, they're manipulative, they're not conscious of other people's feelings.

The Guardian - Sport

The Unconscious by definition is what you are not conscious of.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with abstract nouns like "bias", "prejudice", "cost" or "time" to describe subtle influences on behavior.

Common error

Do not confuse "conscious" (awareness) with "conscience" (moral sense). Writing "not conscience of" is a common spelling error that significantly changes the meaning of your sentence to something nonsensical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not conscious of" functions as a negative adjectival phrase. It describes a state of lacking cognitive or sensory awareness. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it is frequently followed by a noun phrase (e.g., "not conscious of prejudice") or a gerund (e.g., "not conscious of eating"). The structure is a standard part of English grammar and is classified as correct by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "not conscious of" is a versatile and standard English phrase that effectively describes a lack of awareness or perception. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across elite publications, showing that it is particularly common when discussing psychological states, subtle biases and unintentional behaviors. While synonyms like "unaware of" or "oblivious to" exist, this phrase remains a precise choice for describing the gap between action and realization. It is grammatically correct, highly authoritative and suitable for both professional and creative writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unaware of

Most common and direct synonym for general lack of knowledge

unconscious of

Semantically identical but removes the negation for a more concise structure

oblivious to

Suggests a complete failure to notice something that might be obvious

not cognizant of

More formal and often used in legal or professional contexts

not mindful of

Focuses on a lack of attention or consideration for something

blind to

Metaphorical expression suggesting a refusal or inability to see the truth

ignorant of

Implies a lack of information or education regarding a specific fact

not awake to

A slightly more figurative way to describe a lack of alertness to a situation

not sensitive to

Refers to a lack of perception or responsiveness to specific stimuli

heedless of

Emphasizes a lack of care or attention toward consequences

FAQs

How do I use "not conscious of" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a lack of awareness, such as: "She was "not conscious of" the impact her words had on the team".

What is the difference between "not conscious of" and "unaware of"?

While often interchangeable, "not conscious of" often implies a psychological or sensory lack of perception, whereas "unaware of" is a broader term for simply not knowing a fact.

Is "not conscious of" formal enough for academic writing?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable. For a more formal tone, you might also consider "not cognizant of" or "unaware of".

Can I say "not conscious about" instead of "of"?

The standard preposition is "of". While "about" is occasionally heard in informal speech, "of" is the grammatically preferred choice in almost all reliable sources found in Ludwig.