The phrase bring to your cognizance is often encountered in formal writing, legal documents, and professional communication. It means to make someone aware of something or to inform them about important information. While it might sound complex or old-fashioned, understanding this phrase and knowing how to use it properly can improve your communication skills, especially in official contexts. Recognizing when and how to bring to your cognizance a matter can ensure clarity, respect, and precision in conversations and written exchanges.
Understanding the Meaning of Bring to Your Cognizance
The word cognizance means knowledge, awareness, or perception of something. When combined with the phrase bring to your, it literally means to bring to your awareness or to inform you. The phrase is commonly used to emphasize that the information being presented is important and should be acknowledged carefully.
Origins and Usage
The term cognizance comes from the Latin word cognoscere, which means to know. In English, it has been used since the Middle Ages in legal and formal contexts to denote awareness or jurisdiction. The full phrase bring to your cognizance is traditionally found in legal documents, official letters, or academic texts to politely and formally highlight critical information.
Contexts Where Bring to Your Cognizance is Used
This phrase is particularly common in areas where precise communication is essential, such as law, government, corporate settings, and academia. Below are some typical contexts:
Legal and Government Documents
In legal settings, attorneys or officials often use bring to your cognizance to formally notify parties about decisions, rules, or obligations. For example, a lawyer might say, We bring to your cognizance the terms of the contract. This signals the importance of the information and the expectation that the recipient understands and acknowledges it.
Corporate Communication
In business or corporate emails and reports, managers or executives might use the phrase to formally inform employees or stakeholders about updates, changes, or policies. For example, We bring to your cognizance the new health and safety guidelines effective next month. The tone is respectful and professional, ensuring that the message is clearly conveyed.
Academic and Research Contexts
Academics and researchers sometimes use this phrase when sharing findings, corrections, or important clarifications. It adds a formal tone to the communication, indicating that the content is significant and demands attention.
How to Use Bring to Your Cognizance Correctly
While the phrase is formal and useful, it should be used carefully to avoid sounding overly complicated or pretentious, especially in casual conversations. Here are some tips:
- Use in Formal Writing: Best suited for letters, reports, official emails, and legal documents where a professional tone is required.
- Keep It Clear: Always ensure the information you are bringing to cognizance is concise and relevant.
- Don’t Overuse: Frequent use in everyday communication can sound unnatural or confusing. Reserve it for important matters.
Examples of Usage
- We wish to bring to your cognizance the recent changes in company policy regarding remote work.
- The court brings to your cognizance the final judgment issued on May 15th.
- Allow me to bring to your cognizance the significant findings of our research study.
Alternatives to Bring to Your Cognizance
If the phrase feels too formal or cumbersome, there are simpler alternatives that convey the same meaning in less formal settings:
- Inform you
- Make you aware
- Notify you
- Bring to your attention
- Let you know
Choosing the right phrase depends on the audience and the context. For example, in a casual email, I want to let you know about the meeting schedule sounds more natural than I bring to your cognizance the meeting schedule.
The Importance of Bring to Your Cognizance in Communication
Using this phrase effectively helps maintain professionalism and respect, especially when the information being conveyed has legal, financial, or organizational implications. It signals that the matter is serious and requires acknowledgment.
Enhancing Clarity and Formality
In environments where misunderstandings can lead to significant consequences, such as law or corporate governance, clarity and formality are vital. Bring to your cognizance clearly marks a statement as important, guiding the recipient to pay close attention.
Demonstrating Respect
The phrase also serves as a polite way to ensure the recipient knows the message is not trivial. It shows the sender’s intent to be respectful and thorough.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While bring to your cognizance is a useful phrase, improper use can confuse or alienate readers. Here are some pitfalls to watch out for:
- Using in Informal Contexts: Avoid this phrase in casual conversations or informal writing to prevent sounding awkward or overly stiff.
- Overcomplicating Simple Messages: Sometimes straightforward language is better. Don’t use this phrase when inform or notify will suffice.
- Ignoring Audience Understanding: Make sure your audience knows what cognizance means; otherwise, the message might be misunderstood.
Bring to your cognizance is a formal phrase that means to inform or make someone aware of important information. Commonly used in legal, corporate, and academic contexts, it helps emphasize the seriousness and importance of the message. While the phrase adds professionalism and clarity, it should be used appropriately and not in everyday casual speech. Understanding its meaning, context, and alternatives can enhance communication skills and help convey messages effectively in formal settings. Whether writing a legal notice, an official email, or an academic paper, knowing how and when to bring to your cognizance a matter can make your communication clear, respectful, and impactful.