was aware of

USAGE SUMMARY

"was aware of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that someone was conscious of or had knowledge of something. For example, "She was aware of the danger, but she chose to ignore it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was aware of that.

The New Yorker

Osama himself was aware of this development.

The New York Times

She was aware of the danger.

The New Yorker

She was aware of your activities".

The New York Times

Because no one was aware of them.

The New York Times

He was aware of picnic tables, benches.

The New Yorker

Already she was aware of the climb.

The New York Times

He was aware of the problems.

The New Yorker

He adds, "I was aware of everything.

The New Yorker

He also was aware of his limitations.

The New York Times - Sports

But I was aware of it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was aware of" to clearly indicate that someone had knowledge or consciousness of a particular fact, situation, or feeling.

Common error

Do not use "was aware of" when a simpler verb like "knew" suffices. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was aware of" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a state of knowing or being conscious of something. As Ludwig highlights, it's grammatically sound and widely applicable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was aware of" is a grammatically correct and versatile way to express knowledge or consciousness of something. As Ludwig shows, it's widely used in news, academic writing, and general conversation. While alternatives like "knew about" or "understood" exist, "was aware of" often conveys a nuanced understanding or gradual realization. Remember to use it judiciously and avoid redundancy. With a score of 4.5, this phrase is considered high-quality and suitable for various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

knew about

Implies having information about something, similar to being aware.

was conscious of

Indicates a state of being aware or mindful of something, often a situation or feeling.

was cognizant of

A more formal way of saying "was aware of", suggesting a deep understanding or knowledge.

had knowledge of

Emphasizes possessing information or understanding regarding something.

was informed about

Suggests receiving information about something, leading to awareness.

understood

Focuses on the comprehension aspect of being aware.

realized

Highlights the moment of becoming aware or understanding something.

noticed

Implies becoming aware through observation or attention.

detected

Suggests discovering or becoming aware of something, often something hidden or subtle.

perceived

Indicates becoming aware through the senses or intuition.

FAQs

How can I use "was aware of" in a sentence?

You can use "was aware of" to indicate that someone had knowledge or consciousness of something. For example, "She "was aware of" the risks involved."

What can I say instead of "was aware of"?

You can use alternatives like "knew about", "was conscious of", or "understood" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "was aware of" or "knew"?

While both are correct, "was aware of" often implies a more passive or gradual understanding, whereas "knew" can suggest a more direct or certain knowledge. Choose the word that best fits the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "was aware of" and "became aware of"?

"Was aware of" indicates a state of already possessing knowledge, while "became aware of" suggests the process of gaining that knowledge. For example, "He "was aware of" the rules" versus "He "became aware of" the rules after the incident."