Unconsciousness/The unconscious

Question

Hello,Can you please tell me if in my sentence I can use both "the unconscious" and "unconsciousness"?"Painful memories are often pushed down into the unconscious/unconsciousness"Thank you

GPY · Accepted Answer

I would use "unconscious". "unconsciousness" does not sound right to me in that sentence.

CalifJim · Answer

Hotmale
Hello,
Can you please tell me if in my sentence I can use both "the unconscious" and "unconsciousness"?
"Painful memories are often pushed down into the unconscious/unconsciousness"

Thank you

You cannot use both. 'unconsciousness' is the state of being unconscious, which is generally being knocked out. For example, before operating, surgeons make you unconscious so you won't feel any pain. A thief who robs you on the street may attack you severely, making you unconscious.

The adjective 'unconscious', however, has nothing to do with the noun 'the unconscious', which is a psychological or psychiatric construct. As such, the unconscious represents that part of a person's beliefs and feelings which they do not know about but which drives their behavior.

See https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/unconscious?a=british

CJ

Unconsciousness/The unconscious

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