Aware of vs. Aware about – Which is Correct?
The correct expression is “aware of,” not “aware about.” Use “aware of” before a noun, pronoun, or -ing form to mean conscious of or informed about something: “She is aware of the problem.” “Aware about” may appear in nonstandard usage, but is generally considered an incorrect collocation in formal English.
Aware of or Aware About – Which is Correct?
Aware of is the correct and standard expression in English. It means conscious of something, informed about something, or able to recognize something. The preposition of naturally follows the adjective aware: “They are aware of the risks.”
Aware about is generally considered incorrect or nonstandard in contemporary formal English. The confusion probably comes from the fact that about can mean “concerning” or “regarding,” and speakers may mistakenly substitute it for the established collocation aware of. Say aware of the situation, not aware about the situation.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the “of knowledge” test: if you mean that someone knows about, recognizes, or understands something, use aware of. You can also remember the fixed pairing as a single unit: aware of. Although about can mean “concerning,” it does not normally follow aware in standard English.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| aware of | Adjective + preposition | Conscious of, informed about, or recognizing something | The manager is aware of the issue. |
| aware about | Nonstandard collocation | Not normally used in standard formal English | Use “aware of the issue” instead. |
How to Use Aware Of
Aware is an adjective that describes a state of knowledge, understanding, recognition, or consciousness. It is most commonly followed by the preposition of and then a noun, pronoun, noun phrase, or gerund phrase.
Use aware of + noun when referring to a fact, object, person, condition, or situation.
Example 1: The employees are aware of the company’s new policy.
Use aware of + pronoun when the object has already been mentioned or is clear from context.
Example 2: I was not aware of it until this morning.
Use aware of + -ing form to describe consciousness of an action or activity.
Example 3: She became aware of someone standing behind her.
Aware of works in casual, professional, academic, and formal writing. The negative form not aware of is also extremely common: “We were not aware of the change.” For stronger emphasis, writers may use fully aware of, well aware of, or acutely aware of.
What Are the Different Forms of Aware?
Aware is an adjective and does not have verb tenses or plural forms. Its comparative and superlative forms are technically awarer and awarest, but these forms are uncommon and often sound unnatural. In most contexts, use more aware and most aware instead.
- Base form: aware — “He is aware of the danger.”
- Comparative form: more aware — “The public is becoming more aware of the issue.”
- Superlative form: most aware — “She is the most aware member of the team.”
Etymology of the Word Aware
Aware developed from Middle English forms related to being watchful, cautious, or on one’s guard. It is connected to the older expression be ware, meaning “be cautious” or “take care.” Over time, its meaning broadened from vigilance to general consciousness, knowledge, and recognition.
Related Concepts
Understanding adjective-preposition pairings helps explain why aware of is correct while aware about is generally not standard.
- Adjective-preposition collocations: Some adjectives naturally pair with particular prepositions. For example, we say interested in, responsible for, and aware of.
- Fixed expressions: A fixed expression is a conventional combination of words that English speakers normally use together. The phrase aware of is one such established combination.
- Prepositions: Prepositions show relationships between words. Although about can mean “concerning,” it cannot automatically replace of in every adjective phrase.
- Gerund phrases: An -ing form can follow aware of when it functions as a noun phrase, as in “He was aware of making a mistake.”
Examples from Media and Literature
The standard phrase aware of appears across journalism, fiction, film dialogue, business communication, and academic writing.
- News reporting: A report may state, “Officials were aware of the potential security concerns before the event.”
- Business writing: A workplace announcement might say, “All staff members should be aware of the updated safety procedures.”
- Literary fiction: A narrator may write, “She became aware of the quiet footsteps behind her.”
- Film dialogue: A character might say, “Are you aware of what could happen next?”
- Academic writing: A research paper may explain, “Participants were made aware of the study’s possible limitations.”
Aware Of Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Conscious of | Knowing that something exists or is happening |
| Informed about | Given information about a subject or situation |
| Knowledgeable about | Having knowledge of a particular topic |
| Mindful of | Carefully remembering or considering something |
| Cognizant of | Conscious of or fully informed about something; commonly used in formal writing |
| Alert to | Quick to notice or recognize a possible problem or danger |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “aware of” or “aware about” correct?
“Aware of” is the correct standard expression. “Aware about” is generally considered a nonstandard collocation and should be avoided in formal English.
Question 2: Can I say “I am aware about the problem”?
No. Say, “I am aware of the problem.” You could also say, “I know about the problem” or “I am informed about the problem,” but do not normally combine aware with about.
Question 3: What can follow “aware of”?
A noun, pronoun, noun phrase, or gerund phrase can follow it. Examples include “aware of the danger,” “aware of it,” “aware of the consequences,” and “aware of making an error.”
Question 4: Is “aware of” formal or informal?
“Aware of” is neutral and works in both casual and formal contexts. It is appropriate in conversation, workplace communication, academic writing, journalism, and official documents.
Question 5: Is “aware about” ever acceptable?
It may occasionally appear in nonstandard speech, learner English, or translations influenced by another language. However, it is not the usual standard collocation, so “aware of” is the safer and more natural choice.
Conclusion
Use aware of to express consciousness, knowledge, or recognition: “They are aware of the risks.” Avoid aware about in standard English, even though about can otherwise mean “concerning.” Pro Tip: Using established adjective-preposition combinations correctly strengthens your clarity and protects your professional reputation.
