Site Search:
 
Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

aware of

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Help Center
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
learner1



Joined: 10 Mar 2007
Posts: 333
PostPosted: Sat Aug 09, 2008 10:41 am    Post subject: aware of Reply with quote
Hello,

Are 'know' and 'be aware of' interchangeable and mean the same in the sentences below?

1.Do you know the answer?
Are you aware of the answer?

2.I know that she's a good person.
I am aware that she's a good person.

3.I don't know about it.
I'm not aware about it.

4.Do you know where to go?
Are you aware of where to go?

Thanks.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Bob S.



Joined: 29 Apr 2004
Posts: 1767
Location: So. Cal
PostPosted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:08 am    Post subject: Re: aware of Reply with quote
learner1 wrote:
Are 'know' and 'be aware of' interchangeable and mean the same in the sentences below?
They are not necessarily interchangeable. To know implies that you have exact detailed knowledge. To be aware of implies you have some general knowledge but maybe not exact knowledge.
For example:
When was World War 1?
Are you aware of the answer?
Yes, it was in the early 20th Century.
Do you know the answer?
Yes, it was from 1914 till 1918.

Do you know Bill?
I don't know him personally, but I am aware that he works in the satellite office.
Yes, I know him. I deal with him at his satellite office every day.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
learner1



Joined: 10 Mar 2007
Posts: 333
PostPosted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 9:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hello Bob S.,

Thank you very much for your explanation about the two words. Should we use 'about' or 'of' in 'I am not aware about/of it?

Does it mean that the person is aware of Bill, but he doesn't know him in your example "I don't know him personally, but I am aware that he works in the satellite office"?

Thanks a lot.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Bob S.



Joined: 29 Apr 2004
Posts: 1767
Location: So. Cal
PostPosted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 9:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
learner1 wrote:
Thank you very much for your explanation about the two words. Should we use 'about' or 'of' in 'I am not aware about/of it?
Most times you will probably use aware of. There might be times when you would prefer to say aware about, but I can't think of any off-hand.

Quote:
Does it mean that the person is aware of Bill, but he doesn't know him in your example "I don't know him personally, but I am aware that he works in the satellite office"?
Yes, he is aware of Bill.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
learner1



Joined: 10 Mar 2007
Posts: 333
PostPosted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 11:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hello Bob S.,

Thanks again for your answer. However, I can't figure out the difference between the two words in the sentence below.

1.Do you know Bill?
I don't know him personally, but I am aware that he works in the satellite office.

2.Do you know Bill?
I don't know him personally, but I know that he works in the satellite office.

Can I use 'know that' here instead of 'aware that' if the person doesn't know Bill?


Could you please explain their difference if 'know' is possible here?

Thanks a lot.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
learner1



Joined: 10 Mar 2007
Posts: 333
PostPosted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hello,

Could someone please reply to my question?

Thanks a lot!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Bob S.



Joined: 29 Apr 2004
Posts: 1767
Location: So. Cal
PostPosted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
learner1 wrote:
1.Do you know Bill?
I don't know him personally, but I am aware that he works in the satellite office.

2.Do you know Bill?
I don't know him personally, but I know that he works in the satellite office.

Can I use 'know that' here instead of 'aware that' if the person doesn't know Bill?


Could you please explain their difference if 'know' is possible here?

In this case, they could be used interchangeably and it would be understood.

If you want a more nuanced explanation, it would be like this:
You are aware that Bill works at the satellite office because Fred mentioned that Bill works there, or you saw Bill at the office cafeteria. You don't really know what Bill does at the office.
You know Bill works there because you saw Bill at a desk there doing some work, or when you called the office, Bill picked up the phone to answer.
_________________
"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -- Karl Popper
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
learner1



Joined: 10 Mar 2007
Posts: 333
PostPosted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hello Bob S.,

Many many thanks for your kind reply. I think I have cleared them up. Wink
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Help Center All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Dave's ESL Cafe is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Banner Advertising | Bookstore / Alta Books | FAQs | Articles | Interview with Dave
Copyright © 2018 Dave's ESL Cafe | All Rights Reserved | Contact Dave's ESL Cafe | Site Map

Teachers College, Columbia University: Train to Teach English Here or Abroad
SIT
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group