should have been aware of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should have been aware of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone failed to recognize or understand something that they were expected to know or notice. Example: "The company should have been aware of the potential risks involved in the project before proceeding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The public should have been aware of it".

The New York Times

But the pilot should have been aware of the fault.

The Guardian

Even more broadly, economists should have been aware of the dangers of leverage.

The New York Times

Ms. Pirro should have been aware of the impropriety of the tax returns, Mr. Castro said.

The New York Times

"In taking military action, the UK government should have been aware of its consequences.

The Guardian

"Malcolm Turnbull should have been aware of that, and should have avoided that potential conflict".

The Guardian

Those trusted with her care should have been aware of this cautionary note from the hospital.

The Guardian

The French testing authorities should have been aware of that, Ljungqvist said.

The New York Times - Sports

They said that given his experience as a journalist he should have been aware of what he was doing.

Independent

You should have been aware of this risk before kick-off as part of your standard pre-game checks.

The Guardian - Sport

"We considered that viewers should have been aware of the commercial nature of the content prior to engagement".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should have been aware of" to indicate a failure to recognize or understand something that a person or entity was reasonably expected to know. This phrase implies a degree of negligence or oversight.

Common error

Avoid using "should have been aware of" when a stronger expression of fault or negligence is warranted. In cases of deliberate ignorance or malicious intent, phrases like "knew and disregarded" or "deliberately ignored" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should have been aware of" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating a failure to possess knowledge that was reasonably expected. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

12%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should have been aware of" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a failure to recognize or understand something that was reasonably knowable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used. It implies a degree of negligence or oversight and is frequently found in news and media, as well as academic contexts. When writing, consider whether a stronger expression of fault is necessary and choose alternative phrases like "ought to have known about" or "should have understood" depending on the intended meaning. The phrase serves to assign responsibility or highlight negligence, and is best suited for neutral to professional registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to have known about

Emphasizes a moral obligation or expectation of knowledge.

should have been conscious of

Highlights the lack of mindfulness or attentiveness.

needed to be cognizant of

Stresses the necessity of being informed.

should have taken notice of

Focuses on the act of observing or paying attention.

should have been informed about

Highlights the absence of necessary information.

was expected to know

Emphasizes the expectation of possessing certain knowledge.

should have understood

Focuses on a lack of comprehension.

should have foreseen

Highlights a failure to predict or anticipate.

should have anticipated

Emphasizes the need for prior planning or expectation.

was required to be aware of

Highlights an official directive to possess knowledge.

FAQs

How do I use "should have been aware of" in a sentence?

Use "should have been aware of" to express that someone failed to recognize or understand something they were expected to know. For example, "The company "should have been aware of" the potential risks involved."

What is an alternative to "should have been aware of"?

Alternatives include "ought to have known about", "should have understood", or "was expected to know" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "should have been aware of" and "knew about"?

"Should have been aware of" implies a lack of knowledge that is considered a failing or oversight. "Knew about" simply states that someone possessed knowledge, without necessarily implying any fault.

Is it correct to say "must have been aware of" instead of "should have been aware of"?

While both phrases suggest a level of awareness, "must have been aware of" implies a strong deduction or certainty about someone's knowledge, whereas "should have been aware of" suggests a duty or expectation to possess that knowledge. Choose the phrase that best fits the intended meaning.