we were aware that

USAGE SUMMARY

"we were aware that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to show that as a group, you were collectively aware of something. For example, "We were aware that the deadline was fast approaching, so we all worked together to finish the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

We were aware that care leavers were being left unsupported.

The Guardian

We were aware that the situation was suboptimal.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We were aware that we were very young," she said.

The New York Times

At the same time, we were aware that our papers should be as comprehensive as possible.

The Guardian

We were aware that the rules require that the award be to the best novel.

The Guardian - Books

"Italy defended well, and we were aware that our chances will be rare.

The Guardian - Sport

"We were aware that Mr. Slahi was traveling in advance of his departure," he said.

The New York Times

"We were aware that there was a big gap in the service there," Mr. Brett said.

The New York Times

"A year ago, we were aware that delinquencies were going to rise".

The New York Times

"We were aware that they were not wholly true," he said.

The New York Times

We were aware that our statistics did not dig into the subtleties of women's careers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity and conciseness, consider replacing "we were aware that" with "we knew" or "we understood" in less formal contexts.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "we were aware that" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "we knew" or "we realized" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were aware that" functions as a sentence introducer, setting the stage for an explanation or statement of fact known by a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were aware that" is a grammatically correct and frequently used construction to indicate that a group possessed knowledge of something. According to Ludwig, this phrase is perfectly acceptable in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, from neutral news reports to more formal business documents and scientific articles. When writing, it's best practice to consider the context and choose a simpler alternative such as "we knew" or "we understood" for informal situations. While correct, overusing it in casual conversations may sound stilted. Remember, Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is indeed a valid and useful tool for conveying shared awareness within a group.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we knew that

This alternative uses a simpler verb to indicate knowledge, suitable for less formal contexts.

we were conscious that

Similar to "aware", but may imply a more deliberate attention to the information.

it was known to us that

This is a more formal and passive way of expressing the same idea, shifting the focus to the information itself.

we had knowledge that

This phrase emphasizes the possession of information, implying a more active acquisition of awareness.

we understood that

This implies a deeper comprehension of the situation, going beyond simple awareness.

we recognized that

This emphasizes the act of identifying and acknowledging something.

we realized that

This suggests a moment of sudden understanding or recognition.

we were informed that

This indicates that the knowledge came from an external source.

we had been told that

Similar to "informed", but emphasizes the act of being told something.

we took into account that

This implies an active consideration of the information in a decision-making process.

FAQs

How can I use "we were aware that" in a sentence?

Use "we were aware that" to introduce information that your group or team knew. For example, "We were aware that the project deadline was approaching."

What's the difference between "we were aware that" and "we knew that"?

While similar, "we were aware that" often implies a more formal or official acknowledgment. "We knew that" is generally more informal and conversational.

Which is more appropriate in formal writing, "we were aware that" or "we knew that"?

"We were aware that" is generally more suitable for formal writing due to its more professional tone. However, "we knew that" can be acceptable depending on the overall formality of the piece.

What can I say instead of "we were aware that" to sound more concise?

Consider using alternatives like "we understood that", "we realized that", or simply "we knew that" for a more concise phrasing.