“Unaware” and “unawares” are often confused due to their similarity in spelling and pronunciation. However, they have distinct meanings and functions in a sentence. This lesson will help clarify their differences and show how to use each correctly.
Unaware
Definition:
“Unaware” is an adjective that means not being conscious or knowledgeable of something.
Examples of use:
The organizers were unaware of the inclement weather forecast, so they didn’t prepare for rain.
He seemed unaware of the time, working late into the night.
Many people remain unaware of the new policies introduced by the company.
Unawares
Definition:
“Unawares” is an adverb that means by surprise or unexpectedly. It describes how someone is caught or how an event happens without warning.
Examples of use:
The sudden storm caught the picnic organizers unawares, ruining their event.
The exam schedule change took the students unawares, leaving them unprepared.
She was caught unawares by the unexpected promotion at work.
In summary, “unaware” is used to describe someone who does not know or realize something, whereas “unawares” refers to being caught unexpectedly or by surprise. Understanding the difference between these two words will help you use them accurately in both spoken and written English.
