Meaning & use
unconsciously
Last updated
Meaning
adverbnot comparable
In a way that you do not notice or intend, because it happens outside your awareness.
Grammar: Goes before or after the verb to show an action done without realizing: she unconsciously copied his accent.
Patterns
- unconsciously do something
She unconsciously tapped her foot when the music started.
He unconsciously copies the way his father talks.
We often unconsciously choose the same seat at every meeting.
Common combinations
- unconsciously influenced
- Voters can be unconsciously influenced by a candidate's height.
- unconsciously copy
- Children unconsciously copy their parents' habits.
- unconsciously reveal
- She unconsciously revealed her worry through her voice.
- unconsciously biased
- Even fair people may be unconsciously biased.
- unconsciously mimic
- We unconsciously mimic people we like.
Synonyms and how they differ
- involuntarily
- Involuntarily stresses that you could not control the action, while unconsciously stresses that you were unaware of it.
- subconsciously
- Subconsciously points to the layer of the mind just below awareness and is often used about hidden motives.
- automatically
- Automatically suggests a habit done without thought, but you may still be aware of it.
- inadvertently
- Inadvertently usually describes an accidental mistake, not a habit or hidden mental process.
Opposites
Word family
- unconscious adjective
- not awake, or not aware
- unconsciousness noun
- the state of being unconscious
- conscious adjective
- awake and aware
- consciously adverb
- on purpose, with awareness
Commonly confused: unconsciously or unconscious?
unconsciously vs unconscious
Unconscious is the adjective and describes a person, not an action; say he was unconscious, but he acted unconsciously.
Practice
People often ___ adopt the accent of the region where they live.
Choose one answer.
An adverb is needed to modify adopt, and the meaning is without realizing. Consciously would mean deliberately, which reverses the sense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “unconsciously”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.