Subconscious vs Unconscious
What’s the difference between them?
Subconscious
Meaning:
The subconscious is the part of the mind that is not conscious but affects thoughts and behavior. It holds memories, habits, and instinctive reactions that are inaccessible to the conscious mind.
Examples:
1. Even though I wasn't aware of it, my subconscious was working to solve the problem.
2. She was able to tap into her subconscious to find a creative solution to the issue.
3. Recent studies suggest that tapping into our subconscious can help us make better decisions.
Unconscious
Meaning:
Unconscious refers to mental processes that are not recognizable but that influence behavior and thought. It is often used to describe processes that are outside of an individual's awareness or control.
Examples:
1. When the police arrived, the victim was unconscious on the ground.
2. Through meditation, he learned to tap into his unconscious mind.
3. She had an unconscious bias against people of a certain ethnicity.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Subconscious
Underlying consciousness
not fully aware
Conscious
Unconscious
Not conscious
knocked out
Conscious
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Subconscious", "Unconscious".
Subconscious and Unconscious both refer to mental processes that occur below the level of conscious awareness.
1. The main difference between the two terms is that the subconscious is the part of the mind that holds memories and emotions that are just below the surface of conscious awareness.
2. The unconscious is the part of the mind that holds memories and emotions that are completely outside of conscious awareness.
3. A mnemonic tip to help remember the difference between these two words is: 'Unconscious is Un-aware, Subconscious is Sub-aware'.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
When to use the first word 'subconscious'?
The word 'subconscious' is used to refer to the level of mental activity that takes place outside of our conscious awareness. It is the part of the mind that stores all of our memories, habits, and beliefs and influences our behavior without us being aware of it.
When to use the second word 'unconscious'?
The word 'unconscious' is used to describe a state of being when someone is not fully aware of their surroundings or what’s happening around them. It can also be used to refer to a type of psychological defense mechanism in which a person represses traumatic experiences or memories in order to avoid having to confront them.
Do the words have the same pronunciation?
No, the words 'subconscious' and 'unconscious' are not pronounced the same. 'Subconscious' is pronounced as /ˌsʌbˈkɑːn.ʃəs/, while 'unconscious' is pronounced as /ʌnˈkɑːn.ʃəs/.
What are common mistakes associated with words 'subconscious' and 'unconscious'?
One common mistake is confusing the two words and using them interchangeably. Although there are similarities in terms of their meaning, they each have specific definitions and contexts in which they are used. Additionally, some people mistakenly use the word 'subconsciousness' when they mean 'unconsciousness', so it is important to be aware of the correct terminology.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. The decision he made was a result of his __________ thoughts.
2. When asked about his opinion, he said that it was an __________ reaction.
3. Overthinking can lead to a mistaken __________ belief.
4. She made an __________ assumption about the situation.
5. He was unaware of the __________ consequences of his actions.
6. He didnt understand his own __________ mind.
1. subconscious.
Explanation: The term subconscious refers to mental processes and activities that take place in an individuals conscious mind below their level of awareness. In this case, the decision he made was a result of mental processes taking place below his level of awareness.
2. unconsciousn.
Explanation: The term unconscious refers to a state of unawareness or lack of conscious awareness of ones own thoughts, feelings, and actions. In this case, his opinion was a reaction that took place without his conscious awareness or understanding.
3. subconscious.
Explanation: The term subconscious refers to mental processes and activities that take place in an individuals conscious mind below their level of awareness. In this case, overthinking can lead to a mistaken belief taking place below an individuals level of awareness.
4. unconscious.
Explanation: The term unconscious refers to a state of unawareness or lack of conscious awareness of ones own thoughts, feelings, and actions. In this case, she made an assumption about the situation without conscious awareness or understanding.
5. subconscious.
Explanation: The term subconscious refers to mental processes and activities that take place in an individuals conscious mind below their level of awareness. In this case, he was unaware of the consequences of his actions taking place below his level of awareness.
6. unconscious.
Explanation: The term unconscious refers to a state of unawareness or lack of conscious awareness of ones own thoughts, feelings, and actions. In this case, he was unaware of his own thoughts, feelings, and actions taking place below his level of awareness.
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Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.