What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
conscious
Example
I was conscious of the fact that I had forgotten my keys. [conscious: adjective]
Example
The patient was not conscious after the surgery. [conscious: noun]
Example
She made a conscious effort to be more positive. [conscious: adjective]
alert
Example
The security guard was alert and noticed the suspicious behavior. [alert: adjective]
Example
The weather service issued an alert for severe thunderstorms. [alert: noun]
Example
She felt more alert after drinking a cup of coffee. [alert: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Alert is more commonly used than conscious in everyday language. Alert is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while conscious is more specific and often used in medical or psychological contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between conscious and alert?
Both conscious and alert can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, conscious may be perceived as more technical or specialized due to its frequent use in medical or psychological contexts.
