without realizing that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without realizing that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is unaware of a particular fact or situation while they are engaged in an action or thought process. Example: "She continued to speak loudly, without realizing that others were trying to concentrate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

But it was impossible to watch that debate without realizing that Perry is not presidential timber, or even presidential polyurethane.

The New York Times

Not only did it absorb the bombardment, but Herron also recklessly ordered his foot soldiers to attack — without realizing that trees behind the rebel cannons obscured Confederate infantry.

The New York Times

People didn't believe that Clay was a pedophile because people liked Clay — without realizing that Clay was in the business of being likable.

The New Yorker

Opting for full treatments without realizing that hereditary or pre-existing conditions are not covered, they said, can put a big dent in the owners' finances.

The New York Times - Style

Sometimes it's fun to feed our dogs what humans eat without realizing that human food can be toxic, cause allergies, cause cancer, or even death.

WikiHow

"Some of the hardships I endured, I did so without realizing that they were hardships.

The New Yorker

You can't appreciate the founding of our country without realizing that the founders understood that.

The New York Times - Magazine

Pacino first encountered "Salomé" in London in 1989, without realizing that it was written by Wilde.

The New Yorker

How could you walk five blocks without realizing that you'd left the house in slippers?

The New Yorker

People use one weapon, language, without realizing that they also use it against themselves".

The New York Times

He agreed, without realizing that his green card would be revoked.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without realizing that" to clearly indicate a lack of awareness or understanding. It often adds depth and context to your writing by showing the contrast between action and perception.

Common error

Avoid embedding "without realizing that" within already convoluted sentence structures. This can lead to reader confusion. Instead, break down complex sentences into simpler ones for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without realizing that" functions as a connector introducing a subordinate clause that expresses a circumstance or condition of unawareness. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

27%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "without realizing that" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express a lack of awareness or understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase. Its frequent use across diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias, underscores its broad applicability. While perfectly acceptable, you might want to consider synonyms such as "without knowing that" or "unbeknownst to" for variety. Just be mindful of maintaining clarity in your writing and avoid overly complex sentences when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without knowing that

Emphasizes a lack of knowledge or awareness.

unbeknownst to

Highlights that something happens without someone's awareness.

unaware that

Directly states a lack of awareness.

oblivious to the fact that

Stresses a complete lack of awareness, often implying a negative consequence.

without being conscious that

Focuses on the absence of conscious thought or recognition.

little did they know that

Introduces a situation where someone is unaware of impending events or information.

failing to notice that

Highlights the act of not observing or paying attention.

not understanding that

Implies a lack of comprehension or insight.

naively believing that

Suggests a sense of innocence or unfounded trust.

presuming that, in ignorance

Emphasizes a faulty assumption made due to a lack of information.

FAQs

How can I use "without realizing that" in a sentence?

You can use "without realizing that" to show a character's unawareness of something, like in "She ate the whole cake, "without realizing that" it was for a party".

What can I say instead of "without realizing that"?

Alternatives include "without knowing that", "unaware that", or "unbeknownst to", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "without realizing that"?

While grammatically correct, overuse of "without realizing that" can make your writing sound repetitive. Try varying your sentence structure with alternatives.

What's the difference between "without realizing that" and "without knowing that"?

"Without realizing that" emphasizes a lack of conscious perception, while "without knowing that" simply indicates a lack of information. The best choice depends on whether you're highlighting a failure to perceive or a lack of knowledge.