I literally know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I literally know" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the speaker's certainty or knowledge about a particular fact or situation. Example: "I literally know the answer to that question; I've studied it extensively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"I literally know them.

The New York Times

I literally know what she's going through".

The New York Times - Sports

I like to think I literally know parts of Montreal inside and out.

The Guardian

Let's hope not because, unlike the claim I made in my hilarious joke earlier, I literally know dick-all about him.

The Guardian - Music

I literally know as much as you guys.

Huffington Post

"I literally know nothing about this new season, but if I had my dream, I just want one solid scene with my husband.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

I literally knew no one who had anything bad to say about him.

The New York Times

"I literally knew no other student who claimed to be queer (or appeared to be — it was some time before queer confessions became as common as weak jokes)," he writes.

The New York Times - Books

My decision to move from Kansas City to California was a tough one as I literally knew no one who lived locally.

TechCrunch

I literally knew how Katherine Johnson felt in the inside.

Huffington Post

And then when I heard that "John Carter of Mars" was being made, I literally knew the makeup guy on it, Bill Corso.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I literally know" to emphasize your direct and personal knowledge of a subject, especially when you want to convey a sense of certainty or familiarity.

Common error

Avoid using "literally" to intensify a statement that is not actually true. Ensure that your knowledge is genuine when using this phrase, as overuse can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I literally know" is to make a declarative statement, expressing the speaker's certainty or specific knowledge about something. This is evident in Ludwig's examples, where the phrase is used to emphasize the speaker's familiarity or understanding.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I literally know" is a phrase used to emphasize direct and personal knowledge. While Ludwig confirms it's grammatically correct and usable, it is advisable to use it precisely and avoid overusing "literally" in non-literal senses, as this can diminish its impact. The phrase is commonly found in news and media sources to convey certainty. Alternatives like "I genuinely know" or "I absolutely know" can offer similar emphasis. Overall, using "I literally know" effectively relies on context and genuine knowledge to enhance communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I genuinely know

Replaces 'literally' with 'genuinely' to convey a sense of sincere knowledge.

I truly know

Substitutes 'literally' with 'truly' to emphasize the truthfulness of the knowledge.

I absolutely know

Replaces 'literally' with 'absolutely' to highlight the complete certainty of the knowledge.

I definitely know

Uses 'definitely' instead of 'literally' to show a firm conviction.

I certainly know

Employs 'certainly' in place of 'literally' to express confidence in the knowledge.

I really know

Uses 'really' to emphasize the depth of the knowledge, instead of 'literally'.

I actually know

Replaces 'literally' with 'actually', focusing on the reality of the knowledge.

I completely know

Uses 'completely' instead of 'literally' to suggest full and comprehensive knowledge.

I precisely know

Replaces 'literally' with 'precisely' to indicate exactness in knowledge.

I understand perfectly

Rephrases the sentence to focus on understanding rather than simply knowing, maintaining a similar meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "I literally know" in a sentence?

Use "I literally know" to express direct or personal knowledge of something. For example, "I literally know the author of that book". It emphasizes your certainty.

What can I say instead of "I literally know"?

You can use alternatives like "I genuinely know", "I truly know", or "I absolutely know" depending on the context and the level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "literally" to emphasize a point even if it's not entirely true?

While the use of "literally" to add emphasis is common, it is often criticized because it deviates from the word's original meaning. Using it in its true sense maintains clarity and precision.

What's the difference between "I literally know" and "I really know"?

"I literally know" suggests a direct, factual knowledge. In contrast, "I really know" implies a deeper understanding or a strong conviction but does not necessarily mean direct factual knowledge. Consider which is more accurate for your intended meaning.