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Prepositions after adjectives

Aware of or about?

Aware is normally followed by of. Aware about is uncommon and usually avoided in standard English.

Quick answer

Which preposition is correct after aware?

Use aware of to mean knowing about or conscious of something. Aware about is generally nonstandard in modern English.

I am aware of the problem.
She became aware of the risks.
They are aware of new safety rules.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
aware of + noun

Knowledge of something

Use aware of before a thing, fact, situation, or person.

Are you aware of the deadline?
He is aware of the changes.
2
aware of + clause

Awareness of a fact

Aware of can be followed by a clause with the fact understood.

She was aware of what had happened.
We are aware of how difficult this is.
3
aware that + clause

Alternative structure

Aware is also commonly followed by that plus a clause.

I am aware that the schedule has changed.
They were aware that problems could occur.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
aware of
She is aware of the policy.
standard pattern meaning knowing or conscious of something
aware about
He is aware about the issue.
generally nonstandard; use aware of instead
aware that
We are aware that delays are possible.
followed by a full clause
knowledgeable about
She is knowledgeable about finance.
a different adjective often used with about

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using aware about

Standard English uses aware of, not aware about.

✕ I am aware about the problem. ✓ I am aware of the problem.

Forgetting that before a clause

Use aware that before a full clause.

✕ She was aware the meeting was cancelled. ✓ She was aware that the meeting was cancelled.

Using of before a full sentence

Aware of is followed by a noun phrase or question clause, not a complete statement.

✕ They are aware of the project will end soon. ✓ They are aware that the project will end soon.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Are you aware ___ the new policy?
2. We are aware ___ the shipment may be late.
3. Which sentence is most natural?

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Frequently asked questions

Is aware about ever correct?

It is usually avoided in standard English. Use aware of instead.

Can aware be followed by a sentence?

Yes. Use aware that plus a clause.

What is the difference between aware of and knowledgeable about?

Aware of means conscious or informed. Knowledgeable about suggests deeper expertise.

abhorrent-to-in-for-of, about "ablaze with" or "ablaze in"? "able for" or "able in"? "abreast of" or "abreast with"? "absent from" or "absent in"? absolute in, for, of, to or as? "absurd to", "absurd in" or "absurd for"? abundant in, with, of, on or for? "abusive to", "abusive in" or "abusive towards"? "academic in" or "academic at"? "acceptable to" or "acceptable for"? accessible to, by, for, from or in?

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