unknowingly

Meanings

1. 1adverbnot comparable

   Without being aware of what you are doing or of the facts involved.

   Grammar: Usually placed before the verb or at the start of the clause: she unknowingly broke the rule.

   Patterns

   • unknowingly + verb

   He unknowingly stepped on the freshly painted line.

   She had unknowingly shared a private message with everyone.

   They unknowingly bought a stolen bicycle.

2. 2adverbnot comparable

   Without realizing the effect of your actions on others, often causing good or bad results.

   Grammar: Often introduces a surprising result of an action.

   Patterns

   • unknowingly help/hurt someone

   Unknowingly, she inspired a whole class to read more.

   The tourists unknowingly crossed into private land.

   He unknowingly hurt her feelings with the joke.

Common combinations

unknowingly break the law

The driver unknowingly broke the law.

unknowingly reveal

He unknowingly revealed the surprise.

unknowingly cause

She unknowingly caused a delay.

unknowingly help

They unknowingly helped the thief.

unknowingly walk into

We unknowingly walked into a trap.

Synonyms and how they differ

unwittingly

Unwittingly is nearly identical but a bit more formal and literary.

inadvertently

Inadvertently stresses a slip or lack of attention, while unknowingly stresses not having the knowledge.

unconsciously

Unconsciously suggests a mental process you don't notice, such as a habit, not missing facts.

accidentally

Accidentally focuses on the lack of intent, while unknowingly focuses on the lack of awareness.

Opposites

Word family

unknowing adjective

not aware or informed

know verb

to be aware of something

knowingly adverb

on purpose, with full awareness

knowledge noun

what you know

Commonly confused: unknowingly or unnoticeably?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “unknowingly”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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