What do you know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "What do you know" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to inquire about someone's knowledge or information regarding a specific topic or situation. Example: "What do you know about the recent developments in renewable energy?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

What do you know?

The New York Times - Food

What do you know about it?

The New York Times

"What do you know," he said.

The New Yorker

What do you know about Nat Singerman?

The New York Times

What do you know about natural history?

Independent

What do you know about your cancer?

The New York Times

What do you know about the case?

The New York Times

What do you know about Brazil?

The Guardian

What do you know about prawn cocktail?

The Guardian - Sport

What do you know about Icelandic music?

The New Yorker

What do you know about the company?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase in writing, make sure the tone aligns with the context; it can range from genuinely inquisitive to subtly challenging.

Common error

Avoid using "What do you know" in highly formal settings, such as academic papers or official reports. Opt for more professional alternatives like "What is your understanding of…" or "Could you provide information on…"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "What do you know" functions primarily as an interrogative, seeking information or assessing someone's knowledge about a specific subject. As Ludwig indicates, it's a common and grammatically correct way to initiate an inquiry.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "What do you know" is a versatile and frequently used interrogative expression. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. While primarily used to seek information, it can also convey surprise or challenge. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various contexts, though more formal alternatives exist for professional settings. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media sources, making it a valuable tool for everyday communication and inquiry.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What is your understanding

Replaces 'know' with 'understanding', focusing on comprehension.

What information do you have

Substitutes 'know' with 'information', directly asking about available data.

What are you aware of

Uses 'aware of' instead of 'know', emphasizing consciousness or perception.

What's your knowledge on this

Replaces the verb with a noun phrase, asking for knowledge about something specific.

Can you share your insights

Asks for insights rather than general knowledge, suitable when seeking deeper understanding.

What's your perspective on this

Focuses on opinion and viewpoint instead of factual knowledge.

What details are you familiar with

Emphasizes familiarity, suggesting a degree of close acquaintance with details.

What have you learned about it

Shifts the focus to learned information, emphasizing the process of acquisition.

What's your level of expertise

Asks about the degree of skill or knowledge in a particular area.

What's your take on this

Seeks an opinion or interpretation, moving away from purely factual knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "What do you know" in a sentence?

You can use "What do you know" to ask someone about their knowledge on a particular subject, for example: "What do you know about the new company policy?"

What can I say instead of "What do you know"?

You can use alternatives like "what is your understanding", "what information do you have", or "what are you aware of" depending on the context.

Is "What do you know" appropriate for formal communication?

While generally acceptable, "What do you know" is often considered informal. In formal settings, it's better to use phrases like "What is your understanding of" or "Could you elaborate on".

What's the difference between "What do you know" and "What do you understand"?

"What do you know" generally asks for factual information, while "what do you understand" seeks comprehension or interpretation of something.