Cool MateBe aware vs Know what to do
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Be aware
Top 2,000 (common)
Know what to do
Top 2,000 (common)
| Be aware | Know what to do | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //biː əˈwɛə//🇺🇸 //bi əˈwɛr// | 🇬🇧 //nəʊ wɒt tə duː//🇺🇸 //noʊ wɑt tə du// |
| Meaning | Know about something or be conscious of it. | Understand the correct actions to take in a situation. |
| Example | Be aware of your surroundings when walking at night. | When faced with a big decision, it's important to know what to do. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | be aware of danger, be aware of changes, be aware of surroundings, be aware of the rules | know what to do next, know exactly what to do, know what to do in case of emergency |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'aware of' vs 'aware for'., Using it without a subject (e.g., incorrect 'Be aware.' instead of 'You should be aware.'). | Confusing with 'knowing what to do' as a noun phrase., Using it in a past tense incorrectly, such as 'knew what to do.', Forgetting to pair it with an action verb. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in both spoken and written English. Appropriate in most contexts, but avoid in very formal writing. | Use in both spoken and written language when advising or reassuring someone. Avoid in overly formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Be aware vs Know what to do
What's the difference between Be aware and Know what to do?
Be aware: Know about something or be conscious of it. Know what to do: Understand the correct actions to take in a situation.
Can you show an example of each?
Be aware: Be aware of your surroundings when walking at night. Know what to do: When faced with a big decision, it's important to know what to do.
Can I use Be aware and Know what to do interchangeably?
Not always. Be aware and Know what to do are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.