I mostly know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I mostly know" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a general understanding or familiarity with a subject, but indicating that your knowledge is not complete. Example: "I mostly know how to play the guitar, but I still have a lot to learn about music theory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I could probably draw Barack Obama's face from memory faster than I could my own face (to be fair, I mostly know my face from absolute necessity – it's unavoidable when I have to take on a pimple or measure the width of my bald spot).

The Guardian

What I mostly know about WP now is that the PR entries are woefully insufficient and lacking coverage of major topics.

Forbes

I mostly know about my own group and there's a world I know nothing about, such as social class 1 [the upper class] or social class 0, the immigrants who've just arrived.

European Transport Research Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I was kind of out of shape, but I mostly knew what to do.

The New York Times - Sports

I was born four years after the fall of Saigon and what I mostly knew about Vietnam, I learned from the likes of Kubrick and Coppola.

The Washington Post

I didn't have anyone delivering for me, and I sold to around 30 customers I mostly knew.

Vice

I didn't have anyone delivering for me and I sold to around 30 customers I mostly knew.

Vice

I knew that we had to go back to some technical basics at the beginning of the process, but what I mostly knew was that the actors had that human spark, which is what I am most essentially looking for: a spark or humanity, a heart, emotional luggage, a need to express, something moving that is hidden in there, and a kind presence most of all: a kind and pleasant presence in the room.

HuffPost

At a recent briefing, press secretary Jay Carney said, "What I know about this I know this I know, mostly know from what I've read and shockingly it has not all been consistent.

Huffington Post

Which can have its downsides: "Since publishing Room," she quips on her website, "I'm mostly known as the locked-up children writer".

The Guardian - Books

"I'm mostly known for a game called McPixel, which has just had its fourth anniversary.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I mostly know" to indicate that your understanding of a subject is not complete or exhaustive. This acknowledges the limits of your knowledge while still conveying a degree of familiarity.

Common error

Avoid using "I mostly know" when you possess comprehensive or expert-level knowledge. In such cases, use stronger phrases that reflect the depth of your understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I mostly know" functions as a declarative statement expressing a speaker's level of familiarity or understanding with a particular subject. It indicates that the speaker has some knowledge, but not complete expertise. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I mostly know" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to indicate a partial or incomplete understanding. Ludwig's AI confirms its correct usage. While its frequency is uncommon, the expression finds its place in news and media, and science writing. When employing this phrase, it is crucial to avoid overstating one's knowledge and instead, use it to convey a limited grasp of a subject, use alternative phrases like "I largely know" to slightly modify the meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I largely know

Replaces "mostly" with "largely", indicating a similar extent of knowledge.

I generally know

Substitutes "mostly" with "generally", suggesting a broad understanding.

I primarily know

Replaces "mostly" with "primarily", emphasizing the main aspect of knowledge.

My understanding is mostly

Restructures the sentence to focus on the speaker's understanding rather than direct knowledge.

I am mainly aware of

Shifts the focus to awareness, suggesting a degree of familiarity.

What I know is mainly

Emphasizes that the speaker's knowledge is confined to certain aspects.

I have a partial understanding of

Indicates an incomplete or limited grasp of a subject.

I have a basic grasp of

Suggests a fundamental understanding, but not in-depth knowledge.

I am somewhat familiar with

Indicates a moderate level of acquaintance with a topic.

My knowledge is confined mostly to

Highlights the limited scope of the speaker's knowledge.

FAQs

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

You can use "I mostly know" to express a general understanding or familiarity with something, indicating that your knowledge is not complete. For example, "I mostly know how to use this software, but I'm still learning the advanced features."

What's the difference between "I mostly know" and "I fully know"?

"I mostly know" suggests a partial or incomplete understanding, while "I fully know" implies complete knowledge. Use "I mostly know" when you have a general understanding but lack specific details, and use "I fully know" when you have comprehensive knowledge.

Which is correct, "I mostly know" or "I know mostly"?

"I mostly know" is the more common and grammatically sound phrasing. "I know mostly" is less idiomatic and can sound awkward. For example, "I mostly know about the topic" is better than "I know mostly about the topic".

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

You can use alternatives like "I generally know", "I largely know", or "I have a basic understanding of" depending on the context.