were made aware of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were made aware of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone has been informed or notified about something. Example: "The employees were made aware of the new policy changes during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We were made aware of his arrest by the media.

The New York Times

You were made aware of your difference all the time.

The Guardian - Books

The board were made aware of that following the meeting we had with him last Tuesday.

The Guardian - Sport

In January caseworkers were made aware of an older child exhibiting sexualised behaviour towards her.

The Guardian

Panel members on the inquiry were made aware of the allegations.

The Guardian

He added, "Once we were made aware of it, we worked with suppliers" to fix it.

The New York Times

As soon as we were made aware of the error, we removed the piece".

The Guardian

It's reported that Messi's representatives were made aware of the proposal, who in turn informed Barcelona.

Independent

It is not clear whether Wal-Mart's directors were made aware of the accusations.

The New York Times

"As soon as we were made aware of the situation, we took appropriate action," the channel said in a statement.

The New York Times

But it was not clear whether the Russians were made aware of Ms. Gubareva's grand jury appearance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were made aware of" when you want to emphasize the passive reception of information, rather than the active seeking of it.

Common error

Avoid using "were made aware of" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "knew about" or "heard of" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were made aware of" functions as a passive construction used to indicate that someone or a group has received information about a particular situation or fact. As shown in Ludwig, the phrase is often used to indicate notification or acknowledgment of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were made aware of" is a grammatically correct and widely used passive phrase that signals the receipt of information. As validated by Ludwig, it's suitable for neutral registers and commonly found in news and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider context and audience when choosing between "were made aware of" and its alternatives to ensure clarity and appropriateness. Common errors involve overuse in informal settings, where simpler phrases might be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were informed of

Uses a more direct verb, "informed", to indicate the transmission of information.

were notified about

Emphasizes the act of being formally notified or alerted.

were told about

A simpler, more casual way to express being informed.

were apprised of

A more formal way of saying someone was informed, often used in professional settings.

were alerted to

Highlights the aspect of being warned or made conscious of something, often a potential issue.

were given notice of

Highlights the act of providing official notification.

came to know about

Indicates the process of learning or discovering information.

had knowledge of

Focuses on the state of possessing information.

were clued in on

An informal expression suggesting being let in on a secret or insider information.

understood

Focuses on the act of comprehension by the receiver of information, indicating they grasped the details.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "were made aware of" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use alternatives like "were apprised of" or "were notified of", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's a simpler way to say "were made aware of"?

You can use phrases such as "were told about" or "knew about" for a more straightforward and less formal expression.

Is there a difference between "were made aware of" and "were informed of"?

While similar, "were made aware of" can sometimes imply a more passive reception of information, whereas "were informed of" might suggest a more direct and intentional act of communication.

How to use "were made aware of" in a sentence?

You can use "were made aware of" to indicate that someone received information. For example: "The board members were made aware of the financial risks."