What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unwittingly
Example
I unwittingly offended my friend by making a joke about their appearance. [unwittingly: adverb]
Example
He unwittingly revealed the surprise party plans to the guest of honor. [unwittingly: adverb]
unknowingly
Example
She unknowingly ate the peanut butter cookie, not realizing it contained nuts. [unknowingly: adverb]
Example
He unknowingly broke the law by driving with an expired license. [unknowingly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unknowingly is more commonly used than unwittingly in everyday language. Unknowingly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while unwittingly is less common and refers to a specific type of unintentional action or behavior.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unwittingly and unknowingly?
Unknowingly is more formal than unwittingly, which is more commonly used in casual conversation.
