we were not aware

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were not aware" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a lack of knowledge or awareness about a particular situation or fact. Example: "We were not aware of the changes in the schedule until it was too late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"We were not aware of the circumstances," Ms. Gonzalez said.

The New York Times

That's an aspect of Impressionism we were not aware of.

The Economist

Dominic Scianna, a spokesman for St . Johns, said, "We were not aware of any behavior problems".

The New York Times

"Before the hearing, we were not aware that he once worked for ImClone," Mr. Johnson said.

The New York Times

"We were not aware of that because we don't see ourselves from the outside.

The New York Times

"We were not aware it could cause heart problems," said Ms. Stevens, a retired registered nurse.

The New York Times

We were not aware at any time that another Nottingham team would bid.

The Guardian - Sport

"We were not aware of the specific nature of those allegations.

Independent

We were not aware the photograph was taken while she was attending the wake of Philip Seymour Hoffman.

The Guardian - Film

"We were not aware they were going to feel this way until we announced we were doing this".

The New York Times - Arts

"It was clear that there was a quid pro quo to the deal that we were not aware of".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were not aware", ensure that you clearly state what you were unaware of to avoid ambiguity. For example, "We were not aware of the potential risks involved."

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions after "aware". The correct form is "aware of". Saying "aware about" or "aware with" is grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were not aware" functions as a statement expressing a lack of prior knowledge or understanding. It is commonly used to explain a past oversight or to clarify a previous state of ignorance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were not aware" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a lack of prior knowledge or understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a common phrase across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, it is important to clearly state what you were unaware of to avoid ambiguity. Common alternatives include "we had no idea" and "we were unaware". Be careful to use the correct preposition "of" after "aware", avoiding errors like "aware about". The high frequency and diverse usage of "we were not aware" demonstrate its reliability and acceptance in written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were unaware

A more formal synonym, interchangeable in many contexts.

we had no idea

Implies a complete absence of prior knowledge, often used in informal contexts.

we weren't informed about

Highlights a failure in communication or information sharing.

we didn't realize

Focuses on the failure to understand or recognize something.

we had no knowledge of

Emphasizes the absence of information or facts.

we weren't conscious of

Highlights a lack of active attention or perception.

we failed to recognize

Focuses on the failure to acknowledge or understand something significant.

we were oblivious to

Suggests a lack of awareness despite the presence of information.

it escaped our notice

Indicates that something was missed or overlooked.

we were ignorant of

A more direct, and potentially blunt, way to state a lack of knowledge.

FAQs

What does "we were not aware" mean?

The phrase "we were not aware" means that the speaker or group of speakers did not have knowledge or understanding of a particular fact or situation at a certain time.

What can I say instead of "we were not aware"?

You can use alternatives like "we had no idea", "we were unaware", or "we didn't realize" depending on the context.

Is "we weren't aware" grammatically correct?

Yes, "we weren't aware" is a grammatically correct contraction of "we were not aware". Both are acceptable in written and spoken English.

What is the difference between "we were not aware" and "we are not aware"?

"We were not aware" refers to a lack of knowledge in the past, while "we are not aware" indicates a current lack of knowledge. For example, "We were not aware of the problem until yesterday" versus "We are not aware of any current issues".