previously been aware

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previously been aware" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing past knowledge or awareness of a particular situation or fact. Example: "I had previously been aware of the changes in the policy before they were officially announced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Mr. Polsky said the board had not previously been aware of potential problems with the rates.

The New York Times

Lengthy debates were held over whether the third verse of "The Star-Spangled Banner" was racist, most of them conducted by people who had not previously been aware that "The Star-Spangled Banner" had a third verse.

The Washington Post

The original documents have been used by Southern economists and social historians for their insights into Mississippi's plantation life, but no one has previously been aware that Faulkner, who died in 1962, had any connection to them.

The New York Times - Books

He had never had to take over in such a situation before, and he found he had resources of which he hadn't previously been aware, almost as if he had developed some new faculty or capacity as compensation for, or answer to, distant warnings of a decline in other powers or abilities.

The New Yorker

Lord Paddick, a former senior officer in the Metropolitan police, said he had previously been aware of the use of child spies but had no direct experience of their use and had not realised the potential for a breach in children's rights under international law.

The Guardian

The rest comes from companies that have hired people to develop their own middleware using Java and Python -- they had not previously been aware that there is off the shelf software that will reduce their cost of ownership," said Pancha.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the Deadpool 2 fridging debate was when one of its writers, Rhett Reese, confessed to not previously being aware of the term.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

One noteworthy tidbit included in the updated support document that you might not previously have been aware of: Siri HomeKit commands only work on an unlocked device, so you can't use it directly from the lock screen the way you can certain other HomeKit commands.

TechCrunch

Our case had experienced traumatic events 40 years previously and had been aware of a pulsatile mass in his right groin for at least 20 years.

Surgical Case Reports

They referred the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission because it had previously been made aware of problems between the couple.

The Guardian

A spokesman for the DWP said the government and the work and pensions select committee had previously been made aware of the document, and the department later received assurances from A4e that it had not uncovered any major issues.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing this phrase, ensure the context clarifies what the subject was aware of and why it matters to the narrative or discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "previously been aware" when the context requires a simpler past tense. For example, instead of "I have previously been aware", consider "I was previously aware" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previously been aware" functions as a stative verb phrase indicating a past state of knowledge or understanding. It modifies a subject by specifying their prior awareness of something. This is supported by Ludwig's analysis and examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "previously been aware" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express prior knowledge or understanding. Ludwig confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts such as News & Media and Science. While versatile, it's essential to consider simpler alternatives like "already knew" depending on the desired nuance. By understanding its purpose and context, writers can effectively employ this phrase to convey precise meaning and avoid potential misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had prior knowledge of

Replaces "aware" with "knowledge" and rephrases "previously been" to emphasize having prior information.

was already informed about

Focuses on receiving information, differing from the more general awareness.

knew beforehand about

Emphasizes the timing of knowing something before an event.

had advance notice of

Implies a formal notification or warning received earlier.

possessed prior understanding of

Emphasizes comprehension and understanding instead of simple awareness.

was conversant with

Uses a more formal and sophisticated vocabulary to denote familiarity.

had been apprised of

Implies formal notification and awareness; slightly more formal.

was cognizant of

Synonymous with "aware", but carries a more formal tone.

had anticipated

Focuses on expecting something beforehand, rather than just being aware.

was no stranger to

Suggests a level of familiarity due to past experiences, not just awareness.

FAQs

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

You can use "previously been aware" to indicate prior knowledge. For instance: "The board had not "previously been aware" of potential problems with the rates."

What's a more formal alternative to "previously been aware"?

A more formal alternative could be "had prior knowledge of" or "had been apprised of", which suggests a formal notification.

Is "previously been aware" redundant?

While "aware" implies some prior knowledge, "previously been aware" emphasizes that the awareness existed before a specific point in time, adding clarity and precision to the statement.

What's the difference between "previously been aware" and "already knew"?

"Previously been aware" implies a state of knowing or understanding, while "already knew" suggests a more active and certain knowledge. The choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.