was not aware

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'was not aware' is grammatically correct and is commonly used in written English.
You can use it to express that something was not known or understood. For example, "I was not aware that the store was closed on Sundays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But I was not aware why".

The New York Times

I was not aware this was happening".

Independent

Kyle Sampson says she was not aware.

The Washington Post

"I was not aware of these purchases.

The Guardian

"I was not aware he was ill.

The Guardian - Sport

I apologize, i was not aware of that connotation.

Yale University

I was not aware the flight schedule was this frequent.

University of California, Berkeley

Cunliffe was not aware of it at the time.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He said was not aware of any wounded migrants.

The Guardian

Mr. McAuliffe said he was not aware of the opposition.

The New York Times

She said she was not aware of any such complaints.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was not aware" to clearly state a lack of knowledge or understanding at a specific point in time. Ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject was unaware of to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "was not aware" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive constructions can make your writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing to use an active voice where appropriate, such as "I didn't know" instead of "I was not aware".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not aware" functions as a declarative statement indicating a lack of knowledge or consciousness about a particular fact or situation. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness, supported by numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

14%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was not aware" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express a lack of knowledge or understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in various contexts, including news reports, academic papers, and scientific articles. While alternatives like "didn't realize" or "was unaware" exist, "was not aware" provides a clear and often more formal way to convey this meaning. Remember to use it thoughtfully, ensuring clarity and avoiding overuse of passive voice. Its frequency across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its widespread acceptance and utility in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was unaware

A more concise and direct synonym, suitable for various formal and informal contexts.

was uninformed about

Highlights the state of not having received or been provided with relevant information.

had no knowledge of

Emphasizes a complete absence of information or understanding about a specific topic or event.

never knew

Emphasizes that the knowledge was absent throughout a period of time.

had no idea

An informal way to express a complete lack of knowledge or understanding.

didn't realize

Highlights the moment of realization when the lack of awareness changes.

was in the dark about

Conveys a sense of being uninformed or excluded from important information.

was oblivious to

Suggests a lack of attention or perception regarding something happening around the person.

wasn't conscious of

Focuses on the lack of conscious awareness or attention to something.

was ignorant of

Indicates a lack of knowledge, sometimes implying a lack of effort to learn or be informed.

FAQs

How can I use "was not aware" in a sentence?

You can use "was not aware" to indicate a lack of knowledge about something at a specific time. For example, "I "was not aware" that the meeting had been cancelled".

What are some alternatives to using "was not aware"?

Alternatives include "didn't realize", "was unaware", or "had no idea", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "I was not aware" or "I didn't know"?

Both phrases are correct, but "I "didn't know"" is more informal and direct, while "I "was not aware"" can be perceived as more formal or polite.

What's the difference between "unaware" and "not aware"?

"Unaware" and "not aware" are largely interchangeable. "Was unaware" is a single word, while ""was not aware"" is a phrase. Both convey the same meaning of lacking knowledge or consciousness about something.