SpeakUp

Grammar fix

raise awareness

inform people

To help more people know about or understand an important issue, problem, or topic.

collocationB1common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • The campaign aims to raise awareness of the dangers of smoking.society
  • In my opinion, schools should do more to raise awareness of environmental issues among students.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: raise awareness (of/about something)

WrongThe charity raises awareness about for mental health.

RightThe charity raises awareness of mental health. / about mental health.

'Raise awareness OF' (or 'about') something — use one preposition, not both.

Patternraise awareness (of/about something)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff The campaign seeks to enhance public cognisance of the issue.

Natural The campaign is trying to raise awareness of the issue.

'Raise awareness' is the standard collocation; 'enhance public cognisance' is jargon.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • raise awareness of
    of the issueabout the causeamong young people

Don't confuse it

Not the same as 'raise money', which means to collect funds.

Try it in Daily Speak →