unawareness

USAGE SUMMARY

"unawareness" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an uncountable noun, so it cannot be pluralized, and it is usually used when referring to not having knowledge of something. Example sentence: Despite the overall unawareness of the issue, some individuals are actively striving to make a difference.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Saturday night, at the time the Nissan was discovered and cops started to evacuate the area, I was at a show on 43rd Street two blocks away, unaware of any threat, and I maintained unawareness for the next several hours, catching a taxi on Sixth Avenue and proceeding to a Chinese restaurant on 65th and packing away some giant prawns and fried wonton in the company of others.

The New York Times

A natural definition of unawareness on possibility structures is: That is, an agent is unaware of \(E\) provided the agent does not know that \(E\) obtains, does not know that she does not know that \(E\) obtains, and so on.

SEP

Writing beneath an image of the dictionary definition, McGorry said he was "embarrassed" to own up to his previous unawareness.

Independent

The biggest faults motorists found with BMW drivers were unawareness of others and a lack of concentration.

Independent

Further assumptions are that war frequently comes about because of the unawareness of decision makers of the possibility of settling disputes peacefully to the mutual advantage of both sides an unawareness due to mere ignorance, pride, lack of imagination, or selfish and cynical leadership.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Music executives noticed how many tickets and T-shirts he was selling, and a much circulated article in Grand Royal, the Beastie Boys' magazine, declared, "No one waves the flag of Midwestern cultural unawareness as high as Kid Rock".

The New Yorker

There was no panic & in some cases total unawareness.

The New Yorker

She says that she tries to suspend her anger at Linda Loman's role as passive enabler to her husband and play the character's unawareness of her oppression.

The New Yorker

This is the longest drive we have ever taken together, and I am aroused by his male unawareness of me — which I know can quickly shift to its opposite — and by his casual skill as a driver.

The New Yorker

Miller's own story of escaping with his life was fashioned in his unawareness that his life was in danger.

The New Yorker

His sympathy is mixed with concealed resentment, stored up over the years and aggravated by his father's seeming unawareness of the pain he caused others during his lifetime.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unawareness", clarify what the subject is unaware of to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "unawareness" when simple "lack of knowledge" suffices. Overusing formal terms can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unawareness" is as a noun, typically functioning as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig's examples show it denoting a state or condition of lacking knowledge or perception. "Unawareness" is often followed by "of" to specify what is not known.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unawareness" is a grammatically sound noun widely used to denote a lack of knowledge or perception. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is correct and usable in written English. The examples highlight its common use in news and media, scientific discourse, and encyclopedic entries. While a versatile term, writers should strive for precision, clarifying what the subject lacks awareness of to ensure clarity. Understanding related terms like "ignorance" or "obliviousness" can further refine your writing. Use "unawareness" correctly, and your written communication will be more precise and sophisticated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of awareness

Emphasizes the absence of knowledge or perception.

lack of understanding

Highlights a deficiency in comprehension.

ignorance

Directly states a state of being uninformed.

obliviousness

Suggests a lack of attention to one's surroundings or situation.

nescience

A formal term for lack of knowledge.

insensitivity

Focuses on a lack of emotional or empathetic awareness.

unconsciousness

Implies a state of not being aware or alert.

disregard

Suggests a deliberate lack of attention or consideration.

inattention

Highlights a failure to pay attention.

naivete

Implies a lack of experience or worldly knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "unawareness" in a sentence?

"Unawareness" is a noun that describes the state of not being aware. For example: "His "unawareness" of the risks led to several mistakes."

What is a good substitute for "unawareness"?

Alternatives to "unawareness" include "ignorance", "lack of awareness", or "obliviousness", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "unawareness of" or "unawareness about"?

While both prepositions can be used, "unawareness of" is generally more common and often preferred in formal writing. "Unawareness about" is acceptable but less frequent.

What is the difference between "unawareness" and "ignorance"?

"Unawareness" generally implies a neutral state of not knowing, while "ignorance" can sometimes carry a negative connotation, suggesting a willful or culpable lack of knowledge.