they were aware

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were aware" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a group of people had knowledge or understanding of a particular situation or fact. Example: "Despite the challenges, they were aware of the potential benefits of the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were aware that I was coming.

The Guardian

"The team, they were aware of that.

The New York Times

The Nets said they were aware of the situation.

The New York Times

Suddenly, they were aware of how peaceful they felt.

The New York Times

The charities concerned said they were aware of the allegations.

The Guardian

They were aware of our crisis; they felt implicated.

The New York Times - Books

(It arrived and settled among them before they were aware).

The New Yorker

They were aware all week of the national put-downs.

The New York Times - Sports

The Giants said they were aware of Bradshaw's situation.

The New York Times - Sports

They were aware of all this information too..

The Guardian

MI5 could not monitor every suspect they were aware of.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the subtle differences in meaning when choosing between "they were aware" and alternatives like "they knew" or "they were conscious" to best convey the intended nuance.

Common error

Avoid unnecessarily complex sentence structures. While grammatically correct, overuse of passive constructions like "it was known to them" instead of the more direct "they were aware" can make your writing sound less engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were aware" functions as a statement indicating that a group of individuals possessed knowledge or understanding of something. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were aware" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to indicate that a group possessed knowledge or understanding. According to Ludwig, it is commonly used in both news and scientific contexts. While synonyms like "they knew" or "they understood" exist, "they were aware" offers a slightly more formal tone. When writing, be mindful of overusing passive constructions and choose the most direct way to express the idea. The linguistic analysis reveals that while neutral in register, the phrase serves to inform and establish context effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they knew

This alternative is a more direct and simple synonym.

they were conscious

This alternative implies a higher degree of awareness or attention.

they were cognizant

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes understanding.

they were mindful

This alternative suggests being attentive and careful.

they understood

This alternative focuses on comprehension of a situation.

they realized

This alternative indicates a moment of becoming aware.

they apprehended

This alternative suggests a grasp of something, often intellectual.

they grasped

This alternative implies a firm understanding or realization.

they perceived

This alternative refers to the ability to become aware through the senses.

it was known to them

This alternative is a passive construction of the original meaning.

FAQs

What does "they were aware" mean?

The phrase "they were aware" means that a group of people had knowledge or understanding of a particular fact, situation, or event. It indicates a state of being conscious or informed.

What can I say instead of "they were aware"?

You can use alternatives like "they knew", "they were conscious", or "they understood" depending on the context.

Is "they were aware of" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they were aware of" is grammatically correct. It's often followed by the thing they were aware of, such as "they were aware of the risks".

How formal is the phrase "they were aware"?

The phrase "they were aware" is generally considered neutral in formality. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts without sounding out of place.