“aware” vs “know” [closed]
What is the difference between aware and know?
To know has a very general meaning of knowledge and has had this sense for several millenniums. It can be traced back through Proto Germanic *knoeanan to the Proto Indo European root *gno- which also means "to know". The root itself is common in other Indo European languages: (Gr. γνῶσις gnōsis, knowledge see gnostics; or Sanskrit gyan, knowledge).
In contrast, to be aware (from Old English wær "wary, cautious") is a later addition but initially means to be cautious. You will see remnants of that in beware (literally be-aware or be cautious) or wary of.
If you say
A known phishing site.
you mean that the characteristic of this site as a phishing site is not ignored.
Whereas if you say,
Phishing sites are a threat to be aware of.
you give a sense of warning (which of course implies knowledge).
Grammatically:
"I know that S" where S is a sentence like "It is raining outside right now"
"I am aware of NP" where NP is a noun phrase like "the fact that it is raining outside right now"
Semantically:
"I know that it is raining outside right now" - I have direct evidence (I can look out the window) or irrefutable proof (or think I do) that it is raining outside right now.
"I am aware of the fact that it is raining outside right now" - someone told me, or I am otherwise unsure.
In the example "I know my rights" and "I am aware of my rights", the first means that you could specify (or think that you could specify) what those rights are). The second means that you are somewhat unsure of the details, but you have a general idea of the existence of rights.
'Aware' is an adjective meaning either 'vigilant' or 'informed'. I assume the latter definition relates to your question, as it can be used in place of the verb 'know':
I know my rights!
Consider the alternative:
I am aware of my rights.
Both suggest being informed of, or having knowledge of, something. 'Know' has several other definitions, but in this context I would say they can be used interchangeably. The distinction between them is subtle, perhaps related to an intended tone or mood rather than definition.
For example, you often see 'aware' used in a sardonic way to convey scorn or disapproval:
Bill: Do you know Frank got promoted to Team Leader?
Jim: I'm aware of it.