were aware of

USAGE SUMMARY

"were aware of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to describe a past state of knowledge: The police officers were aware of the potential criminal activity in the area.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Italians were aware of that.

Independent

"We were aware of the significance.

The Guardian

Senior officers were aware of the dangers.

The Guardian

C.I.A. officers were aware of those limitations.

The New York Times

We were aware of that going in".

The New York Times

The judges were aware of it".

The New York Times

Both parents were aware of his "delusions".

The New York Times

Some US officers were aware of this.

The Guardian

"The team, they were aware of that.

The New York Times

They were aware of our crisis; they felt implicated.

The New York Times - Books

But those who were aware of the plan were confident.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were aware of", ensure that the subject of the sentence clearly identifies who possessed the awareness. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Don't confuse "were aware of", which means having knowledge, with "were careful about", which indicates taking precautions. For example, say "They were aware of the risks" instead of "They were careful of the risks" if you mean they knew about the risks.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were aware of" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of knowing or understanding something in the past. It links a subject with the object of their awareness. Ludwig confirms its proper usage, showcasing various contexts where this phrase is suitable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were aware of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate past knowledge or understanding. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives such as "knew about" or "understood" exist, "were aware of" maintains a neutral tone suitable for many writing situations. To ensure clarity, it is essential to specify precisely what the subject knew and to avoid confusing it with similar phrases like "were careful about".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

knew about

Focuses on direct knowledge rather than a state of awareness.

were conscious of

Emphasizes a deliberate recognition or realization.

were informed of

Highlights the act of receiving information.

were apprised of

A more formal way of saying 'were informed of'.

understood

Implies a deeper comprehension than simple awareness.

recognized

Suggests acknowledging or identifying something specific.

realized

Indicates a sudden understanding or awareness.

were familiar with

Implies prior knowledge or experience.

had knowledge of

A more formal and emphatic way of stating knowledge.

were privy to

Suggests access to confidential or exclusive information.

FAQs

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

Use "were aware of" to indicate that someone knew about something in the past. For example, "The team "were aware of" the risks involved in the project."

What's a more formal alternative to "were aware of"?

More formal alternatives include "were cognizant of" or "were apprised of". These options are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is "aware of" the same as "conscious of"?

While similar, "aware of" generally implies having information, while "conscious of" suggests a deliberate recognition or sensitivity. Both "were conscious of" and "were aware of" indicate knowledge, but "conscious" often carries a stronger sense of active consideration.

What can I say instead of "were aware of" when emphasizing understanding?

If you want to emphasize understanding, consider using phrases like "understood", "recognized", or "realized". These highlight comprehension beyond simple awareness.