we were unaware

USAGE SUMMARY

"we were unaware" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to explain that you previously did not know something. For example, "We were unaware that the meeting was cancelled until we received a notification from the organizer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

National invertebrate shortage of which we were unaware?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"We were unaware of these deals," Krulewitz said.

The New York Times - Sports

Remember in September when we were unaware of just how unstable all these financial titans were?

The New York Times

"We were unaware that this nurse had a prior record of drug problems," he said.

The New York Times

"We were unaware of what has happened" at Johns Hopkins, Mr. Kelley said.

The New York Times

A BBC source said: "We were unaware that they were planning to change the lyrics".

The Guardian

"This was a law that we were unaware of," Uzel told the community board.

The New Yorker

"We were unaware of the closeness of his relationship with Judge Luttig.

The New York Times

Was there a relationship behind the scenes of which we were unaware?

The Guardian - Opinion

"We were unaware of the curfew and unprepared," says a waitress.

The Economist

We're meeting people, we're being exposed to situations we were unaware of before.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were unaware" to clearly and directly state a previous lack of knowledge or understanding about a specific situation or fact. It's particularly effective when taking responsibility or explaining a prior course of action.

Common error

Avoid using "we were unaware" as a blanket excuse to deflect responsibility without demonstrating subsequent corrective action or acknowledgment of the issue. It can come across as insincere if not followed by an explanation of how the situation will be addressed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were unaware" functions as a statement of previous ignorance or lack of knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English for expressing that something was not known previously, which is supported by the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were unaware" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express a previous lack of knowledge or understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. Its primary function is to provide context or justification for past actions. While versatile, it appears most frequently in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure sincerity and follow it with an explanation of corrective actions, lest it sound like a mere excuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were uninformed

Replaces "unaware" with "uninformed", emphasizing a lack of information.

we had no knowledge

Uses a more explicit phrase to indicate a complete lack of knowledge.

we didn't realize

Indicates a failure to understand or notice something.

we weren't conscious of

Highlights a lack of awareness or perception.

we were oblivious to

Suggests a complete lack of awareness, often implying a lack of attention.

we were ignorant of

Emphasizes a lack of knowledge, potentially suggesting a lack of education or information.

we overlooked

Indicates a failure to notice or consider something important.

it escaped our notice

A more formal way of saying something was not noticed.

we were blind to

Implies a metaphorical inability to see or understand something.

we remained incognizant

Replaces "unaware" with "incognizant", a more formal word choice, emphasizing a lack of cognitive awareness.

FAQs

How can I use "we were unaware" in a sentence?

Use "we were unaware" to express a previous lack of knowledge or understanding. For example, "We were unaware of the new regulations when we implemented the policy".

What are some alternatives to saying "we were unaware"?

Alternatives include phrases like "we were uninformed", "we didn't realize", or "we had no knowledge", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "we were unaware"?

It's appropriate when you need to acknowledge a past lack of knowledge or understanding, often to explain a decision or action. Ensure it's used genuinely and is not just an excuse.

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

"We were unaware" refers to a past state of ignorance, while "we are not aware" indicates a current lack of knowledge.